Matt Salmon Gubernatorial candidate

Matt Salmon, the Republican candidate for governor, says that he has traveled the state more than any other candidate, letting everyone know that he always keeps his promises.

"I'm a plain-spoken person. I don't speak out of both sides of my mouth," he said. "I say what I believe in my heart."

As a U.S. Congressman, Salmon said that he promised to only serve three terms, and he's proud that he stuck to that promise.

Now as a gubernatorial candidate, Salmon has pledged that he won't raise taxes because he says that tax hikes are bad for small business.

"I'm a free market guy. I think government should stay off business' back, but also I think business should stand on its own," he said.

Although he could face a $1 billion deficit as governor, Salmon said that he refuses to tax businesses in order to help solve the state's budget woes.

When it comes to education, Salmon wants to see more money going into the classroom, including those of the universities.

He said he has a vested interest in seeing Arizona education improve.

All four of his children went through the Arizona public education system, and now one of his daughter's is a schoolteacher, he said.

His plans to improve Arizona education include ensuring universities are as affordable as possible.

"As a father of kids in college, I want (tuition) as affordable as possible," he said.

As a result, Salmon is considering a tax credit for in-state students and considering favoring a tuition increase for out-of-state students.

Although he hasn't promised to protect the universities from further state funding cuts, Salmon said that once the economy slump ends, he will commit far more money to universities than the government does now.

However, in the meantime, he wants the universities to become less dependent on the state.

"We must unshackle the university so it can work with the private sector."

He said that while serving in Congress he always voted for more research and development money for the universities and will continue to help the universities get more federal and research dollars.

He also said that in order to get additional sources of revenue, everyone needs to be creative.

Salmon, like his opponent, Democrat Janet Napolitano, supports changing the state constitution so it allows the universities to invest in their researchers' companies.

He also wants to see more technology transfers between the universities and the private sector.

Salmon received his bachelor of arts degree from Arizona State University before moving on to Brigham Young University for his master's in public administration.

He is a former U.S. Congressman, Arizona state senator and Qwest executive.

Now, as a gubernatorial candidate, Salmon said that he wants to take advantage of the opportunity to lead Arizona towards a new future where small Arizona businesses become "the next Fortune 500 companies."

And he has vowed to keep his promise that he'll do so without raising taxes or increasing spending.

"We don't judge ourselves by how much we tax and spend. We judge ourselves by how much we do," he said. "My focus is on excellence, on making sure the state agencies do what they need to do."