Gov. Jan Brewer has officially endorsed former Mesa Mayor Scott Smith to succeed her in office. Brewer joined Smith at the Chicago Cubs training facility in Mesa to make the announcement Thursday.
Brewer and Smith stood in the stadium’s concourse as the governor listed her reasons for supporting him. She said he’s a successful businessman who was able to lead Mesa during the roughest part of the recession.
"And that’s why I’m endorsing Mayor Scott Smith in the Republican primary," Brewer said.
Brewer’s endorsement comes a few days after early voting started, but Smith said even though he’s trailing in recent voter surveys, his campaign is gaining momentum.
“I think this election is going to go down to election day," Smith said. "It has not been decided, and with six people running there’s a lot of people who are still looking at those ballots wondering which way they’re going to go."
A new poll commissioned by the Arizona Automobile Dealers Association shows Smith has moved into second place behind State Treasurer Doug Ducey while former Go-Daddy Executive Christine Jones has slipped to third place. The primary is Aug. 26.