Officeholders of the Secretary
The role of the Secretary has been held by a series of dedicated officials since 1912, reflecting the shifting political landscape of the region. Over more than a century, the office has been occupied by individuals from both the Democratic and Republican parties, with the Democratic party holding the position for a significantly larger number of terms.
The progression of leadership in this office demonstrates a pattern of long-term stability interspersed with periods of political transition. From the early tenure of Sidney Preston Osborn to the current leadership of Adrian Fontes, the office has evolved to meet the needs of the public through various eras of governance.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Party Dominance: The Democratic Party has held the office 15 times, while the Republican Party has held it 7 times.
- Longest Tenure: Wesley Bolin served the longest term, spanning from January 3, 1949, to October 20, 1977.
- Current Incumbent: Adrian Fontes assumed office on January 2, 2023.
- Historical Range: The records for these officeholders date back to February 14, 1912.
Detailed History of Officeholders
The early 20th century saw a mix of Democratic and Republican leadership. Sidney Preston Osborn initiated the recorded sequence in 1912, serving three terms. This was followed by a period of fluctuation, including the first Republican term under Ernest R. Hall in 1921.
A notable period of continuity occurred during the mid-20th century. James H. Kerby is one of the few individuals to serve non-consecutive stints in the office, holding the position from 1923 to 1929 and again from 1933 to 1939.
The most significant era of stability began with Wesley Bolin, who served for over 28 years. His tenure represents the longest continuous period of leadership for any single individual in the history of the office.
In more recent decades, the office saw a shift toward Republican leadership starting in 1995 with Jane Dee Hull. This trend continued through the tenures of Betsey Bayless, Jan Brewer, Ken Bennett, and Michele Reagan, before returning to Democratic leadership with Katie Hobbs in 2019.
Summary of Secretary Terms
| Secretary | Term Start | Term End | Party | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidney Preston Osborn | February 14, 1912 | January 6, 1919 | Democratic | 3 |
| Mit Simms | January 7, 1919 | January 3, 1921 | Democratic | 1 |
| Ernest R. Hall | January 3, 1921 | January 1, 1923 | Republican | 1 |
| James H. Kerby | January 1, 1923 | January 7, 1929 | Democratic | 3 |
| J. C. Callaghan | January 7, 1929 | January 27, 1929 | Democratic | 1/2 |
| Isaac "Ike" Peter Fraizer | January 27, 1929 | January 5, 1931 | Republican | 1/2 |
| Scott White | January 5, 1931 | January 2, 1933 | Democratic | 1 |
| James H. Kerby | January 2, 1933 | January 2, 1939 | Democratic | 3 |
| Harry M. Moore | January 2, 1939 | November 20, 1942 | Democratic | 1 + 1/2 |
| Dan Edward Garvey | November 27, 1942 | May 25, 1948 | Democratic | 3 + 1/2 |
| Curtis M. Williams | November 22, 1948 | January 3, 1949 | Democratic | 1/2 |
| Wesley Bolin | January 3, 1949 | October 20, 1977 | Democratic | 12 + 1/2 |
| Rose Mofford | October 20, 1977 | April 5, 1988 | Democratic | 3 + 1/2 |
| James Shumway | April 5, 1988 | March 6, 1991 | Democratic | 1/2 |
| Richard D. Mahoney | March 6, 1991 | January 3, 1995 | Democratic | 1 |
| Jane Dee Hull | January 3, 1995 | September 5, 1997 | Republican | 1/2 |
| Betsey Bayless | September 5, 1997 | January 6, 2003 | Republican | 1 + 1/2 |
| Jan Brewer | January 6, 2003 | January 21, 2009 | Republican | 1 + 1/2 |
| Ken Bennett | January 21, 2009 | January 5, 2015 | Republican | 1 + 1/2 |
| Michele Reagan | January 5, 2015 | January 7, 2019 | Republican | 1 |
| Katie Hobbs | January 7, 2019 | January 2, 2023 | Democratic | 1 |
| Adrian Fontes | January 2, 2023 | Incumbent | Democratic | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current Secretary?
The current incumbent is Adrian Fontes, who began his term on January 2, 2023.
Which political party has held the office most frequently?
The Democratic Party has held the office more frequently, with 15 officeholders compared to 7 from the Republican Party.
Who served the longest tenure in this position?
Wesley Bolin served the longest tenure, holding the office from January 3, 1949, until October 20, 1977.
Did any individual serve the role of Secretary more than once?
Yes, James H. Kerby served two separate periods: first from 1923 to 1929, and again from 1933 to 1939.
When did the first recorded term begin?
The first recorded term began on February 14, 1912, with Sidney Preston Osborn.