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Republican
Candidate for Arizona House in Legislative District 26
Phone: (480) 744-5535
Email: rspeakman@cox.net
Website: www.rayspeakman.com
1055 E 9th Dr, Mesa, AZ 85204.
Age: 56. (06/26/55, Cottonwood, AZ).
Arizona since: Birth.
Occupation: Small business owner, Velocity Design Group, since 2011; construction manager, Woodbine Southwest Corp, 2000-2011; small business owner, Speakman & Son’s Construction, 1987-2000.
Marital: Married (Carolyn, homemaker).
Children: 8.
Religious preference: LDS.
Education: Two years at ASU, construction; associate’s degree, Mesa Community College, 1978; Mesa High, 1973.
Political experience: None.
Memberships: Boy Scouts of America.
Interests: Family, woodworking, church, camping, Boy Scouts.
Political influence: I don’t have any one individual. It is a series of events and individuals that have influence my decision to be involved in politics. And most especially, the inability to gain the knowledge of those who are involved has inspired me to be more involved.
Job creation measures: I would propose to continue to lower the tax burden on businesses and allow them to grow more freely, and then to continue to create an environment for businesses to start or move to Arizona.
Top Issues: Education and securing our borders.
Prop 100 sales tax extension: No. We need to continue to reduce the taxes imposed on our citizens and thus encourage economic growth.
Illegal immigration: We need to continue to pressure the federal government to secure the borders and make it easier for those who want to come here and work to be legal, taxpaying, contributing visitors. We need to send those who are criminals back to whatever country they are from.
Background & experience: I have served in leadership positions for over 30 years in the community. As such, I have had to make hard decisions, use my imagination to work through difficult situations and work with many varied opinions and personalities to come to the best solutions. As an employer, I have had to live within a budget and make businesses grow. These experiences have prepared me for this office.
Pro-life / pro-choice: Opposed. The choice is made before conception not after. Except in the case of rape or incest.
One last thing: I am a multi-generational native of Arizona. I have many ancestors that helped settle Arizona and this is the place I have chosen to raise my children. I am committed to making decisions based on values and the Constitution not on personal interests or special interests. My values will dictate policy and not the reverse.
Campaign finance: public.
