Incumbent State Treasurer Dean Martin's decision to run for governor has made for a wide open campaign this year.
Ironically, only one Democrat, Andrei Cherny of Phoenix has taking up the challenge.
However, there will be plenty of room for political sparring on the Republican side with four candidates, two of which are members of the state legislature seeking the job.
The state treasurers primary responsibility is to receive, distribute and invest state's money, essentially providing banking services to all state agencies.
But the treasurer also serves as the state's surveyor general and on the State Land Selection Board, which oversees transactions involving state trust lands.
The office also oversees municipal investments held in the Local Government Investment Pool.
Andrei Cherny-Democrat
Andrei Chernyy brings a distinguished private career to the campaign if not so heavy in the political sector. A Senior Fellow at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.he has written extensively on global economic policy, politics and history.
He is the author of "The Next Deal: The future of public life in the information age" and "The Candy Bombers: The untold story of the Berlin Airlift and America's Finest Hour."
He has served as a private business consultant to several Fortune 500 companies and in the Clinton White House as a senior adviser to Vice President Al Gore.
A graduate of Harvard College and the University of California Law School he has served on the City of Phoenix Commission on Housing and Neighborhoods and Leaguer Conservation voters. He is a reserve officer in the Navy
From 2006 to 2009 Cherny served as Arizona Assistant Attorney General, where he achieved a perfect conviction record, specializing in financial crimes.
For more information visit www.andreiforarizona.com
Ted Carpenter-Republican
Ted Carpenter has been a board member of Valley Schools since 1992 and serves as Vice Chairman of the Management Group of the rapidly growing insurance consortium for public employees.
A retired Phoenix Firefighter, he served eight years in the Arizona State House of Representatives as Chairman of the House Banking and Insurance Committee and an elected Precinct Committeeman for the Republican Party.
He also served 14 years as a member of the Deer Valley Unified School District Governing Board, as well as having served on the Maricopa County Regional School District Governing Board and as Maricopa County Deputy Superintendent of Schools.
Mr. Carpenter was also a founder and member of the Board of Directors of the Deer Valley Charter School. He attended Alhambra High School in Phoenix, holds a business associate degree from Tarrent County Junior College and a fire science degree from Phoenix College.
No Website available.
Doug Ducey-Republican
An Ohio native and graduate of Arizona State University, Ducey is best recognized as the former CEO of Cold Stone Creameries.
His candidacy for State Treasury is his first run for public office.
During his years in business he served as a board member for the Phoenix Zoo, on the 2008 Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.
He currently serves on the Banner Health Foundation board, as a trustee of the Arizona State University Foundation and on the board of the Pat Tillman Foundation.
He is the Chairman of the Board for iMemoeries, an Arizona-based company that digitizes home movies.
A member of ASU's the W. P. Carey Business School Hall of Fame, he lives in Paradise Valley with his wife Angela and his three sons.
For more information visit www.votedougducey.com
Barbara Leff-Republican
State Senator Barbara Leff has served three terms in the House of Representatives and is currently in her fourth term in the Senate.
She has a master's degree in social work and has worked for the Veterans Administration as a medical and psychological social worker.
She is also an instructor in the Maricopa County Community College District and the owner of a small retail sporting goods store in Scottsdale.
Leff has volunteered with a group that helps settle Russian refugees and on the campaigns of Senator John Kyl.
As a legislator, Leff sponsored bills to prevent frivolous lawsuits, prevent identity theft, raise the standards of expert witnesses in legal cases, and the "three strikes your out" legislation that puts third time felons in jail for life.
She has been a promoter of small technology development companies and renewable energy manufacturing.
For more information visit www.barbaraleff.com
Thayer Verschoor-Republican
A native Arizonan, Thayer Verschoor has served in the Arizona State Senate since 2003, representing District 22.
An army veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division, Verschoor currently serves as the President Pro Tempore of the senate.
As a state senator, Verschoor built a reputation as a conservative lawmaker, championing issues important to the state's municipalities, border security the law enforcement community.
He has also served as the senate majority leader and on the commerce and economic, and transportation committees.
Prior to his statewide political career, he served as the student body president of Mesa Community College and as a Republican precinct committeeman.
He has been married to wife Carla for 20 years and the two have five children. He is a small business owner
