Steve Gaynor
Personal details
Born (1955-04-27) April 27, 1955 (age 68)
New York, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseDorothy Gaynor
EducationSwarthmore College (BA)
Harvard University (MBA)

Steven Jeffrey Gaynor[1] is an American businessman and political candidate in Arizona. He ran for Secretary of State of Arizona in 2018, and won the Arizona Republican Party nomination, but narrowly lost the general election to Democrat Katie Hobbs. Gaynor declared his candidacy for the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election as a Republican. In June 2021, he withdrew before the primary.

Early life and education

Gaynor is originally from New York. He graduated with an MBA from Harvard Business school.[2] Gaynor is Jewish.[3]

Business career

Gaynor moved to Arizona in 1981[4] and purchased a small printing company which he grew to employ 350 people by 2007.[2] In 2014 his printing company paid $134,000 to settle claims of underpaid workers.[5]

Political career

In 2018 he ran as the Arizona Republican Party for Secretary of State of Arizona, defeating Michelle Reagan for the nomination.[6][7] He lost the general election narrowly to the Democratic candidate Katie Hobbs.[8] The race was so close that numerous media outlets, including the Associated Press, reported Gaynor as the winner.[9][10] Gaynor ultimately conceded to Hobbs 11 days after the election.[8]

In 2019 Gaynor founded of Fair Maps Arizona, a 501(c)(4) organization[11] that has supported Republican political efforts in Arizona.[12][13][14]

On June 25, 2021, Gaynor declared his candidacy for the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election as a Republican.[15][16]

Political positions

Gaynor has been described as a social and fiscal conservative.[6] He is reportedly pro-life, and is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association of America.[6]

Electoral history

Arizona Secretary of State Republican Primary Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Gaynor 414,332 66.7
Republican Michele Reagan 206,988 33.3
Arizona Secretary of State General Election, 2018[17]
Democratic Katie Hobbs 1,176,384 50.43
Republican Steve Gaynor 1,156,132 49.56

Personal life

Gaynor is married to his wife Dorothy, who he met while studying at Harvard. Together they have three children.[2][6][18]

References

  1. ^ "Steven Gaynor Political Campaign Contributions 2016 Election Cycle". Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Steve Gaynor: Campaigning to ensure better elections | Arizona Jewish Life". 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  3. ^ Enquist, Nick. "Jewish candidate could make state history". Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  4. ^ Writer, Nick Enquist | Staff. "Jewish candidate could make state history". www.jewishaz.com. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  5. ^ Gardiner, Dustin. "Steve Gaynor, Arizona secretary of state candidate, was accused of underpaying workers". The Arizona Republic.
  6. ^ a b c d Whitman, Elizabeth (2018-11-04). "Piecing Together Steve Gaynor". Phoenix New Times.
  7. ^ Gardiner, Dustin. "Steve Gaynor defeats Michele Reagan in GOP secretary of state primary". The Arizona Republic.
  8. ^ a b "Hobbs claims victory in Secretary of State race". KNXV. 2018-11-17.
  9. ^ Forman, Carmen (2018-11-07). "AP: Steve Gaynor Arizona's next Secretary of State". Arizona Capitol Times.
  10. ^ "Steve Gaynor to be Arizona's newest Secretary of State". AZFamily.
  11. ^ "Fair Maps Arizona - 501C Nonprofit - Phoenix, AZ - 842139847". www.taxexemptworld.com. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  12. ^ "Fair Maps Arizona". Kingman Daily Miner.
  13. ^ Duda, Jeremy; August 26, Arizona Mirror (2020-08-27). "Partisan groups laying the groundwork to shape Arizona redistricting". Arizona Mirror.((cite web)): CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Duda, Jeremy; June 26, Arizona Mirror (2019-06-26). "Ex-GOP candidate looks to influence redistricting". Arizona Mirror. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020.((cite web)): CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ Latch, Lacey. "Conservative businessman Steve Gaynor announces run for governor". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on 2021-06-25. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  16. ^ Services, Howard Fischer Capitol Media (June 26, 2021). "Steve Gaynor joins crowded GOP race for Arizona governor". Arizona Daily Star. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021.
  17. ^ "Arizona Election Results". results.arizona.vote. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
  18. ^ Hines, Cary. "Meet your state candidates". The Glendale Star. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
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