Now a Democrat, former Republican senator Slade Mead, who often rankled the GOP by voting with the minority party in the Legislature — many times becoming a swing vote for Democrats with other moderate Republicans — has filed his candidacy for state superintendent of public instruction.

New filings also include Mike Ross of Tempe, a Libertarian, and Scott Malcomson of Mesa for governor, bringing to 10 the number of people who have filed for that office.

If they qualify for the ballot, Mr. Mead, who served one term in the Senate before he was knocked out in the District 20 primary in 2004 by then-Rep. John Huppenthal, and Jason Williams of Phoenix, a former executive director of Teach for America, a national teacher-recruiting program, will face off in a 2006 Democrat primary for the office held by Republican Tom Horne, who has filed for reelection.

“I figured that [former Republican senator] Linda Binder and I had problems with the Republican budget in 2003 as harmful to public schools,” Mr. Mead said in explanation of his party switch. “My beliefs are more in line [with Democrats] on public education issues.”

Mr. Mead said he also has been an independent and registered in the 1980s as a Democrat to vote for U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley in a presidential primary. During his state Senate term, Mr. Mead often clashed on and off the floor with conservative Jack Harper, R-4.

“I am certain that [Mr. Mead’s candidacy] will rally the Republicans around Tom Horne even more so,” Mr. Harper said. “I don’t know how Slade Mead could decide on a platform, when he couldn’t decide on a party to belong to.”

Mr. Mead said part of his platform will be to revamp the AIMS high school graduation test.

“Being proud that only 10 percent are failing is terrible,” Mr. Mead said.

He said he would like to develop a model graduation standard that could include a “certificate of completion” of high school, adding that the AIMS test is meaningless if students who fail it can still be admitted to college and secure jobs.

Mr. Mead said Mr. Horne has done nothing do reduce the dropout rates.

On a recent topic, he said he agreed with the recently enacted law requiring the state to develop nutritional guidelines for K-8 public schools, but questioned what happens to schools that have endorsement contracts with companies that provide sodas banned under the guidelines.

Mr. Mead, who raised more than $100,000 in private funding for his second run for the Senate, said he will run a publicly funded campaign this time.

“It’s an interesting position to run for,” he said. “There’s no constituency, other than kids. Could do a lot of bake sales.”

“I’m delighted he’s in the race,” Governor Napolitano said of the Mead candidacy. “There needs to be a robust election for superintendent to flush out a lot of the issues.”

Gubernatorial Candidate

Mr. Ross did not respond to requests for an interview. His candidacy sets up a Libertarian primary for governor with Barry Hess, who said he will file next month.

“I’ve made it a point to avoid Mr. Ross because his perceptions, and in my opinion, delusions, are based on his outspoken advocacy of atheism, the use of brutal force, anarchy and abortion,” Mr. Hess said. “His views do not reflect the proud and honorable Libertarian philosophy that founded and prospered this incredible nation.”

Mr. Malcomson could not be reached by press time Aug. 18. —