Setting up another conflict with Trump, Ducey endorses Beau Lane for Arizona secretary of state

Gov. Doug Ducey is picking sides in the open Republican primary for Arizona secretary of state, throwing his support to advertising executive Beau Lane.

"Beau is a businessman, not a politician," the Republican governor posted on social media Wednesday. "He’s demonstrated results, and will help restore confidence in our elections."

The endorsement further highlights the divide in the Republican Party, following Ducey's endorsement last week of Karrin Taylor Robson in the gubernatorial primary.

Ducey's backing of Taylor Robson, and now Lane, contrasts with the endorsements former president Donald Trump has made of their opponents: Kari Lake for governor and Mark Finchem for secretary of state.

Late last month, at a campaign stop in Chandler, Finchem said he would not concede his race if there was any suggestion of wrongdoing.

"There ain’t gonna be no concession speech coming from this guy," Finchem said. "I’m going to demand 100% hand count (of ballots) if there’s the slightest hint of any impropriety. And I would urge the next governor to do the same thing.”

Lake seemed to share that sentiment, as she started to say "absolutely" but didn't finish the word, instead pivoting to note that Trump never conceded. She called that "really smart."

In his endorsement, Ducey alluded those comments.

"The 2022 elections haven’t even been held yet, and already we’re seeing speculation doubting the results — especially if certain candidates lose," the governor wrote. "It’s one of the most irresponsible things I can imagine."

That's a key reason, he said, why voters should support Lane.

"The way to restore faith in elections and the outcomes is to put good people in charge," he wrote. "Beau Lane can’t be bought … he can’t be bullied … and he isn’t a politician who will always be lusting after the next job."

Learn more:Who is Beau Lane?

Lane endorsed by 3 Arizona governors

Lane said he was honored to have the governor's support.

"It is an endorsement by somebody who knows what it takes to be in the highest levels of government," Lane said in an interview.

He said he sought the endorsement from Ducey, whom he said he's known through business and community circles since before Ducey entered politics.

Lane is executive chairman of Lane|Terralever, an advertising firm that evolved from a partnership between E.B. Lane, the firm his father started 60 years ago, and Terralever, a digital marketing agency.

With Ducey's endorsement, Lane has picked up the backing of three GOP governors. Fife Symington and Jan Brewer endorsed him earlier this year, as they have for Taylor Robson.

Despite the parallel endorsements, Lane said there is no ticket as the Aug. 2 primary approaches.

"I run my own race," he said. "We're running independently."

Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com and follow her on Twitter @maryjpitzl.

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