Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Lesher Running Goddard's Gubernatorial Campaign

Posted By on Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:40 PM

Longtime Tucson political strategist Jan Lesher, who headed up Gov. Janet Napolitano's Southern Arizona office and recently returned to Arizona after working under Napolitano at Homeland Security, is taking over Terry Goddard's gubernatorial campaign.

Goddard has been facing criticism over his mixed messages on SB 1070 and concern over what appears to be a lackluster and directionless campaign. Last week, Goddard campaign honcho Rodd McLeod, who helped Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords win her seat in 2006, announced he was leaving the campaign at the end of the month.

The release from Goddard's campaign:


Goddard for Governor announced today that Arizona native Jan Lesher will join the campaign as campaign manager beginning in July. Ms. Lesher has previously served as Director of Arizona's Department of Commerce. She has extensive ties in Arizona's business community and has served as Vice President of Communications and Marketing for the Tucson Economic Development Corporation.

"Jan Lesher is an old friend and trusted ally with a mind like a steel trap," said Attorney General Terry Goddard. "Our campaign reached out to her

this spring when she became available because of her expertise in economic development and experience at managing complex organizations. I am excited that she's coming aboard."

Lesher is to assume her post in the first week of July. "Terry Goddard's brand of commonsense leadership is exactly what Arizona needs right now: integrity, backbone and a focus on jobs and education," said Lesher. "I love Arizona too much to watch our economy continue to fall apart. I look forward to joining the campaign, and expanding our reach as the race heats up this summer."

Attorney General Terry Goddard is an Arizona native. As Attorney General, he has fought every day for Arizona families, cracking down on drug cartels, shady mortgage companies, and those who prey upon women and children. As Governor, Goddard will work to fix our economy, secure our border, and to build an education system that prepares our children for the future.