Office of the Secretary of State

Ken Bennett

The primary is still five months away, but some Republican candidates for governor will participate in a political forum in Prescott Monday night. It is promoted as the first debate of the 2014 campaign season. The forum is at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. It is co-sponsored by the college’s Republican club and the Yavapai County Young Republicans. 

The candidates scheduled to appear are Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett, former Go Daddy executive Christine Jones, Tucson State Sen. Al Melvin and Mesa Mayor Scott Smith. The event will be hosted by Yavapai County Supervisor Tom Thurman. 

The candidates will answer questions from members of the public. It is the first of what is expected to be a long list of public appearances the candidates will make before the August primary. But, first they have to gather enough voter signatures to qualify for the ballot. Those petitions must be turned in by May 28.