Sarah Palin Endorses AZ Treasurer Doug Ducey for Governor

On Wednesday, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin endorsed Arizona Treasurer and former Cold Stone Creamery CEO Doug Ducey for governor. 

Palin said Ducey is “self-made man” who is a “private sector job creator and proven conservative leader that Arizona needs as its next governor.”

Palin joins Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mike Lee (R-UT) and other conservatives like Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in endorsing Ducey. Former Arizona Sen. John Kyl, Arizona Rep. Trent Franks, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, Barry Goldwater Jr., and Dennis Prager have also endorsed him along with others.

“Doug came to Arizona for college, working at the local beer distributor to pay his way through. After graduation, Doug applied his skills and work ethic to the business world,” she continued. “Through his efforts as CEO, Doug grew Cold Stone Creamery from a small local Tempe ice cream parlor with four stores into a major international chain with 1,400 franchises in 31 countries.”

The company is still headquartered in Arizona, as Palin noted, and  the “business provides jobs and revenue for the state.” 

Palin noted that “since being elected State Treasurer, Doug has fought to close financial loopholes, fix the state’s books, and stop a $1 billion annual tax increase.” And Ducey told Palin that he would also champion the “rights of the unborn” in addition to being a “forthright defender of the right to bear arms” as governor.

“I’m a believer in private enterprise, the dignity of work, limited government and the possibilities of freedom. I am a forthright defender of the right to bear arms – which is guaranteed not only by the US Constitution, but by the Constitution of Arizona,” he told Palin. “I am a believer in the rights of the unborn and the goodness of every life, and I have promised that as governor I will champion those values.” 

Palin said that “Cold Stone Creamery was always a favorite stop for my family when traveling during the ’08 campaign. Their creative combinations always hit the spot, and I believe Doug has the right combination to serve Arizona with his proven private sector skills and his record of conservative leadership.”

Six Republicans are running for the GOP nomination in the August 26 primary to replace term-limited Republican Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, whom Palin helped in 2010–four years before the current border crisis–defend a law (SB 1070) that made it easier for law enforcement officers to apprehend illegal immigrants.

Palin has a home in Arizona, and her daughter Bristol attended trade school in the state. Palin routinely calls into local Arizona radio programs and has often spoken about how much she enjoys spending time in the state.