The Fountain Hills Republican Club heard from several candidates seeking the GOP nomination for office in the upcoming primary election on Aug. 28. Among those speaking was Ken Bennett, former State Senator and Secretary of State who is challenging Governor Doug Ducey for the Republican nomination for governor.

Bennett said truth matters and he believes Arizonans have been misled by the Ducey administration over the past four years.

“We do not have a balanced budget, as we are being told,” Bennett said. “Over the last four years the state debt has grown by $4 billion.

“That is not a balanced budget.”

He said health care costs have increased by $455 million. He also said voters are being misled regarding education.

“The state does not give raises to teachers, school districts and charters determine teacher salaries,” Bennett said. “They are not getting the money promised to education.”

Bennett said Ducey promised to support repeal and replace of Obamacare. He said it is now being reported that Senator John McCain’s dramatic “no” against repeal was influenced by Ducey and the state’s position.

Bennett said he is a supporter of Second Amendment rights and school safety. He said he would implement safety training, including firearms for personnel that would be on the site of a potential active shooting incident.

He said it would include only those who wanted it and those able and capable of participating in the training.

Bennett also reiterated that as governor he would not appoint Cindy McCain to fill out her husband’s term in the U.S. Senate, should that become necessary.

“A seat in the Senate is not a family heirloom,” Bennett said.

Bennett asked for the support of those present.

“I believe I give the Republican Party the best chance of keeping the governor’s office in November.

Other candidates present and speaking at the meeting included Tim Jefferies and Michelle Ugenti-Rita for State Senate from District 23, Tracy Livingston, candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction, candidate for mayor, Cecil Yates, council candidate Mike Scharnow and Rory VanPoucke, candidate for the Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAP) board of directors.