Illustration by Cody Angell

It's hard to believe that in February, the following year's political campaigns are already underway. But the candidates for governor in 2002 are already starting their campaigns.

In a state known for some of the worst governors in the country, the bag is as mixed as ever this year! I've known for some time that I would be supporting Democrat Janet Napolitano, but for those who have not yet decided (hopefully not many readers are as ardent political junkies as I am), let's take a look at the lineup.

The Republican topping the polls is former U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon. When one visits his campaign Web site, it looks as if he could almost be a Democrat. Salmon starts off by reminding voters that when he first ran for Congress from Phoenix in 1994, he promised to seek only three terms and kept that promise. He wants to improve K-12 education, make prescription drugs affordable for senior citizens (although he fails to explain how he will do that), and improve victims' rights. How could this be bad?

Salmon doesn't mention that, while he kept his promise to seek only three terms, he isn't a supporter of campaign finance reform. In fact, in 1998, he voted against H.R. 2183, the soft money ban. He may support improving education, but he doesn't specify how he plans to improve it. His vote in support of vouchers in the District of Columbia (H.R. 4380 in 1998) may be some indication that assuming he meant "public" education was taking his words a little too far. He says he wants to make prescriptions affordable for seniors, but don't take that to mean he is opposed to the travesties inflicted upon Arizonans by HMOs. In 1999, he voted against H.R. 2723, the managed care Patients' Bill of Rights. Perhaps we shouldn't take Arizona's current right to sue HMOs for granted, should Salmon be elected governor.

Then there's Betsey Bayless. She was expected to be the Republican frontrunner and actually received more endorsements from elected officials than Salmon. However, Salmon was able to secure the support of the business community (and don't forget the developers!) and was able to capture the best chance for the Republican nomination. Bayless claims that she plans to make K-12 education her top priority, nearly echoing the words of Gov. Jane Dee Hull when she was first appointed governor. Unfortunately, her plans are not well explained, and she stood by Gov. Hull throughout her troubles with the alternative fuel fiasco. She is running her campaign on noble issues, but after what the state has been through with Gov. Hull, new faces are needed.

Current State Treasurer Carol Springer is also running in the Republican primary. Sounding more like a Libertarian than a Republican, she advertises that she is pro-choice but is to the right of most Republicans on nearly every other issue. She claims that "national parks, national forests and federal monuments are eroding property rights." On the issue of gun control, she simply says she "strongly supports the right to bear arms." At least she's honest, but her opinions are too conservative for their own good.

Finally, there's Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Known as "Mr. Tent City," he is possibly Arizona's most well known hardliner conservative. At least Pat Buchanan will have someone to endorse. But, don't rule him out! Arizona is, after all, the state that elected Fife Symington and Evan Mecham!

Former Democrat Richard Mahoney, apparently needing an outlet for his 8-foot ego, decided to run as an Independent. Other than being the biggest threat to Napolitano's campaign, his social liberalism and fiscal semi-conservatism are unlikely to garner many votes or much attention.

On the Democratic side, Mark Osterloh is running on the premise of campaign finance reform. This is a noble issue as well, but he has made several attempts at the state Legislature from his northwest Tucson district and has lost every time.

The remaining candidate is Attorney General Janet Napolitano. Her record as the state attorney general shows her commitment to Arizona's children and seniors. She has prosecuted Internet child predators and scam artists targeting seniors. She isn't afraid of developers either. As a member of the State Selection Board, she voted against a proposed annexation for the Town of Marana, which would have seriously damaged Pima County's Sonoran Desert Protection Plan. She also warned Gov. Hull about potential problems with the alternative fuel program, which later proved to be true.

In a state where governors like Evan Mecham, Fife Symington and Jane Dee Hull are the first to come to mind, it's hard to believe there is a good candidate running. While this year has no shortage of bad apples, Janet Napolitano is one worth learning more about!