Name pronunciation: gay-DECK

Age: 50. (01/14/62, Cleveland, OH).

Arizona since: 1987.

Occupation: National sales, CyraCom International; major account sales for 15+ years in the telecommunications sector including approximately fives years each with Qwest (now Century Link), XO Communications, and Mountain Telecommunications.

Marital: Married (Jennifer).

Children: 3.

Religious preference: Episcopal.

Education: Tecumseh High School (Tecumseh, MI), 1980.

Memberships: GEM DEM’s, American Teleservices Assn, AZ Tech Council, Nat’l Emergency Number Assn, Call Center Network Group, various local school organizations.

Interests: Technology, politics, travel.

Political influence: Russell Pearce.

Job creation measures: Tax reform and repairing the national reputation of the state of Arizona in order to attract business and revenue to the state.

Top Issues: Public education and health care reform.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: Conditionally, my answer is yes. I will do everything in my power to support public education including stabilizing and increasing funding. However, after seeing the GOP’s handling of education funding since the temporary sales tax increase was approved, I am skeptical of their willingness to honor any referendum. The voters overwhelmingly offered a self-imposed tax increase for the benefit of our schools. Once passed, our GOP-controlled Legislature used the money as they saw fit.

Illegal immigration: The causes of illegal immigration are deep rooted and I recognize that the frustration level of many has peaked. But, we need to recognize that poorly written legislation does not solve the problem and creates considerable challenges for our law enforcement officers. Many leaders within the law enforcement community have expressed concerns about enforcing immigration law at the local level and I agree with their concerns. If our federal representatives are unwilling to address the issue we must partner with the legislators of neighboring states in a unified effort to increase pressure. We cannot tackle this problem on our own.

Background & experience: I have never been a lobbyist or had any personal business connections to anyone in state government. This will uniquely prepare me to work independently on behalf of the hard working people of Arizona. I have more than 30 years of experience in business and understand the challenges facing each one of us and our families in this economy. My background as a professional salesperson has taught me the necessary skills of communication, listening, negotiating, and effectively articulating my views on the issues. I look forward to a civil debate on the important issues facing Arizona.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I believe women should have control and responsibility over their reproductive choices.

One last thing: I firmly believe that Arizona’s Legislature does not represent the majority of our citizens. Their political agenda has embarrassed and angered the majority of voters, including me. Worse yet, many have become disengaged. I believe facts are important and persuasive. I want voters who have no political power to know that I have entered this race to give you a voice. Voters who disagree with me should know that I will listen and learn from our civil conversations.

Campaign finance: public.

Name pronunciation: WARZ-lee

Age: Did not respond. (Boise, ID).

Arizona since: 1980.

Occupation: Founder, CEO/president; SkyMall, Inc.; founder, ExecuShare, Inc. 1985-1989; CPA, Price Waterhouse, audit manager, 1980-1985.

Marital: Married (Christi).

Children: 6.

Religious preference: LDS.

Education: B.S., accounting, BYU, 1980.

Political experience: Member of Mitt Romney’s AZ finance team.

Memberships: Bd of directors, United Families Int’l; executive bd, Institute for American Values; bd member, Mesa United Way; East Valley Partnership.

Political influence: Recently, presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been the greatest influence in my political development.

Job creation measures: I have not yet been elected so I will not address specific bills or measures I would introduce, but generally speaking I will pursue policy objectives that reduce financial and bureaucratic restrictions on the development of business and commerce-related activity in the state.

Top Issues: Economy/job creation and education.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: I do not support the permanent “extension” of the sales tax increase. The original increase was temporary and was supported by Arizona voters. I do not support putting any tax increase into law permanently.

Illegal immigration: SB1070 got the attention of the federal government, but it is not the solution to our illegal immigration problem. We have a border security problem. We have a human smuggling problem. We have a drug smuggling problem. We have a border violence problem. These will be my priorities and the areas I will focus on as a state senator.

Background & experience: I will combine my knowledge of the East Valley, successful business experience, energy and creative thinking skills to find innovative and common sense solutions to our state’s challenges.

Pro-life / pro-choice: Pro-life.

One last thing: I believe Mesa voters deserve real leadership, fresh ideas and a reasonable and independent voice at the state Capitol. I believe we need to elevate the priorities of our state Legislature and focus on the issues that really matter. I believe our elected officials should be held to higher standards and should represent their constituents with integrity and honesty. I am running for Senate District 25 because I want to be a statesman, not a politician.

Campaign finance: private.