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From Sharon Collins:
Dear Arizona Voter,
My name is Sharon Collins and I am running for Secretary of State.
Some of you may wonder just what it is the Secretary of State does. It is a vitally important job, but not a particularly glamorous one, and rarely gets much public attention (except at election time). The Secretary's duties are laid out in more detail elsewhere on this site, but in a nutshell, the Secretary of State serves as the Chief Election Officer and primary record keeper for the State of Arizona. The Secretary is also first in line to succeed the Governor in the event that office is vacated before the term has expired.
As Secretary, I won't be in a position to lower your taxes or pass new legislation, because the truth is that those are not official duties of the Secretary of State. But as a pragmatic conservative dedicated to the Republican principles of smaller government, fewer taxes, and greater personal responsibility, I pledge to make my department more effective in meeting the needs of the public while saving money.
I am the best choice for Secretary of State because of my proven effectiveness and experience as an administrator in both the public and private sectors. I have the temperament to work well with people of all political stripes. I welcome new ideas and fresh approaches, and possess the skills and knowledge needed to serve the people of Arizona faithfully and well. And I have a plan.
My early experiences as a public school teacher and business owner (where I cared for Alzheimer patients, AIDS patients and others no longer able to care for themselves) have given me a great empathy for people from all walks of life. My private-sector work has made me a better public servant because I learned to develop budgets, set priorities, and make tough decisions. I also learned the importance of being accessible, of being patient, and of being a good listener.
During the last five years, I have served as the Governor's Deputy Director for Southern Arizona. This work has enabled me to establish relationships with county recorders, members of the Secretary's staff, sitting legislators in both houses, and movers and shakers in our communities. I have sat at the Governor's policy table and worked closely with our current Secretary, Betsey Bayless, in establishing a Tucson satellite office. When Governor Hull appointed Steve Jewett, Director for Southern Arizona, to head-up the state Homeland Security Agency, she asked me to serve as Acting Director. And I am the only candidate who is a Certified Election Officer.
My position as Deputy Director has prepared to assume the duties of Secretary and get up to speed quickly. With all due respect to my opponents, no other candidate has qualifications so closely matched to the requirements of the job. Take a look at my comprehensive plan for Arizona.
In my view, an effective leader must do three things. First, set two or three important and attainable goals and pursue them tenaciously. Second, attract and retain talented people. Third, build consensus. I will go toe to toe with anybody on matters of conviction. But there comes a time to set aside differences and put duty first. I'm not big on finger pointing. You've heard the expression, "fix the problem, not the blame." A strong leader accepts responsibility and is generous in sharing credit. I don't claim to have all the answers. But if you honor me by electing me Secretary of State, I pledge to prove worthy of your faith in me. I believe Arizona's best days still lie ahead.
I would like to say one other thing before I go. I am a Clean Elections candidate. The program is controversial, but I see it as a noble experiment. The truth is that Clean Elections has made it possible for me to run. My goal has been to make a positive case for my candidacy and my program. Politics, as they say, ain't beanbag, and I think voters understand this. But they don't want to see candidates throwing kidney punches while the ref isn't looking. I hope my campaign has reflected credit upon the Republican Party and the people of Arizona.
I surely would appreciate your vote. Thank you for your time!
Sincerely,
Sharon Collins
"Collins for Secretary"
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