KINGMAN - Vernon Parker, the first black mayor of Paradise Valley and a candidate for the 2010 Arizona governor's race, addressed the Republican Men's Club Monday, telling them that it was time to bring leadership and accountability back to the state.
Parker is one of more than a dozen potential candidates vying for Republican incumbent Jan Brewer's seat in the 2010 election.
Parker was born in Long Beach, Calif., and grew up in the same neighborhood as rapper Snoop Dogg (real name Calvin Broadus). Parker said the school choice program allowed him to attend high school on the other side of town and to escape the fate of many in his community.
After graduating from California State University with a degree in finance, Parker worked as a financial analyst for Rockwell International and later attended law school at Georgetown University in Washington D.C.
Parker served as special assistant to President George H. W. Bush and was the first assistant secretary for civil rights for the United States Department of Agriculture under the appointment of President George W. Bush.
Parker came to Arizona with his wife, a native to the state. He won the mayor's seat in Paradise Valley with 67 percent of the vote.
Parker says that if elected governor, he'll no longer refer to it as the state of Arizona but rather "the state of confusion." He said that a lack of leadership is keeping Arizona from its potential.
"Now is the time to take the state back," he said.
Parker said companies being driven out of California because of high corporate taxes are passing through Arizona on their way to Texas, which Parker said has seen more than 215,000 new jobs created since 2007.
He said that Texas faced a similar budget crisis as Arizona, but that the Lone Star state was able to erase a $10 billion deficit in 2003 and was one of only six states that did not have a budget deficit in 2009.
Parker said he would like to see Arizona phase out and ultimately end some corporate taxation and look at things such as tort reform to make the state more business-friendly. He cited the recent decision to close dozens of state rest stops as a missed opportunity.
"Why close them? Why not privatize them?" he said.
Parker said that putting a greater importance on post-high school education would also benefit business in the state. He used the example of Google's move from Tempe in 2008 after just two years in the city, saying that the Internet giant left because it didn't have a quality workforce to pull from.
Parker also took questions from the audience, including one on immigration. Parker said that while it would be unethical to comment on his position on fictional legislation, he would like to see a crackdown on illegal immigration.
"We cannot select what laws we are going to enforce," he said.
Posted: Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Article comment by:
Dan
When anyone talks about deficits, no one new better how to defeat deficits better than Ronald Reagan!
When he was elected to Governor in Calif. the State was so deep in RED INK we were being paid with script.
He froze pay increases, cut taxes, froze all state jobs that were not of complete necessity.
He was the best Governor the State of Calif. ever had, he new how to talk the talk and walk the walk.
We in this State of Arizona have one outstanding representative in Jeff Flake. I wish all our congressmen would stand up to the same principal on ear marks that Flake does!
Don't judge anyone by the color of their skin!
Let's see if this fellow can walk the walk!
Posted: Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Article comment by:
Nobama
@ No Name
You need to stop your quick finger pointing and insinuation of racism anytime Obama is mentioned, you sound like an absolute idiot!
You're the only one mentioning race around here, some people actually don't like Obama because he made promises that he knew he couldn't keep and he's just no good...period!
Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I heard about his possible run some time ago. He bears looking at as a serious candidate. But I agree with commentor Dan for the moment. Let's hear more from him. So far though, he seems like a breath of fresh air.
And to the 12/22 "No Name Provided", who stated "Didn't we all hear this from Obama?"
Would you say that about a candidate who was white? Forget it, I already know the answer. You are too obvious. Sorry that his race trumps everything else to you.
Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Hey no name - if he were a white man I doubt you would have made any Obama reference. Some other genius said something regarding Obama in the story about the musician running for mayor, and how ironic, he too has a tan. Creeps
Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Didn't we all hear this from Obama?
Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Article comment by:
Dan
Sounds like he supports Joe, on illegals. That is a good thing!
