Brewer won't try to run for governor again

 

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer announces she won't seek a third term Wednesday at Park Meadows Elementary School in Glendale. (Source: CBS 5 News)

 
GLENDALE, AZ (CBS5) - Jan Brewer will not seek another term as governor of Arizona, she announced Wednesday.

Brewer, who was appointed to fill the term of Janet Napolitano when she left to become Secretary of Homeland Security in 2009, said, "I will no longer be governor" when her current term ends, effectively ending her shortened two-term reign.

Brewer, who was joined by her husband, John, and son Michael, made her announcement at Park Meadows Elementary School at 20012 N. 35th Ave. just south of the Loop 101 freeway, a school attended by two of Brewer's children.

Brewer, 69, had contemplated challenging a provision in the Arizona Constitution that limits officeholders to two terms. After completing Napolitano's term, Brewer was elected to a full term in 2010.

Standing beneath a banner that proclaimed "Champion of the Arizona Comeback" with her name above, Brewer said Arizona's comeback story was still being written.

"There comes a time to pass the torch of leadership," said Arizona's 22nd governor. "I will no longer be governor, but I will remain a proud cheerleader for the state I love dearly."


She called her announcement bittersweet. "I'm sad to be leaving, but proud of the remarkable progress of the state during my time in office."

She called serving as governor the "privilege and pleasure of my life."

Brewer said she still has a lot of work to do before her second term ends. She pointed to the state's "broken" child protection system and responsible budgets for areas such as education and maintaining the state's economic recovery as priorities.

"Do what you love an love what you do," Brewer told the gymnasium filled with Park Meadows students. "And don't forget to put public service before self-service."

She said she gained her hallmark of public service from her mother, who told her, "Remember that doing the right thing almost always means doing the wrong thing."