About Ken

It seems there’s not much you can count on these days. You can count on Ken Bennett.

For 25 years, he has fought on behalf of conservative, traditional American values. From the Prescott City Council to the Arizona State Senate to his current post as Secretary of State, Ken Bennett has earned a reputation for common sense leadership and putting people first.

Well, that and playing a mean guitar. Ken and his guitar are rarely far apart, and over the years he has serenaded scores of state legislators, community groups and school kids.

First, and foremost, Ken is a husband, father and recently, a grandfather. He and his wife, Jeanne, have three grown children - Ryan, a high school teacher; Dana, a labor and delivery nurse; and Clif, a graduate of the University of Arizona who is applying for officer candidate school with the U.S. Marine Corps. Ryan and his wife, Kim, recently added son McKay to the Bennett family.

Ken became Secretary of State in January 2009, the newest chapter in a record of public service that spans 25 years. He quickly moved to toughen penalties against petition fraud, addressing one of the biggest problems facing Arizona elections. In 2010, Ken spearheaded legislation that ensures voters are notified when corporations or unions attempt to influence their vote in candidate elections. Disclosure, transparency, accountability – these are his priorities.

Ken’s Arizona roots run deep. His great grandparents were pioneers in Douglas, Gilbert and Glendale. He was born in 1959 in Tucson, and grew up in Prescott. Ken attended Yavapai College and Arizona State University, from which he graduated in 1984 with a degree in accounting. He returned to make his home in Prescott, and was elected to the City Council the very next year. Ken served a four-year term, including a stint as mayor pro-tempore.

He left city government in 1989, busying himself with a young family and his leadership of the family fuel-distribution business. In 1992, Ken was appointed to the Arizona State Board of Education. He served seven years, including two as board president. He also served three years on the Arizona Charter Schools Board.

Ken returned to office in 1999 with his election to the state Senate. He served four terms representing Legislative District 1, from 1999 to 2007, before being term-limited from office. Ken’s final four years were as Senate president, an honor bestowed upon him by fellow Senators who recognized his single-minded drive: To make government work. What else would you expect from an Eagle Scout?

In 2007, Ken received the Polly Rosenbaum Award from the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records. It was in honor of his longtime support of the State Library’s mission to preserve Arizona history and ensure public access to state information and records.

After leaving the Legislature, Ken re-focused upon his work in the energy field – specifically, efforts to develop alternative energy sources and energy-efficient building technologies. Currently, he is chairman of the board of directors for Global Building Systems, Inc., and Energy Tech America. He also is a member of the board of directors for Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Goodyear.

Ken’s now running for a full, four-year term as Secretary of State, pledging to once again bring his brand of common sense conservatism to state government. Count on it.