Differences between Jeff Flake and Richard Carmona
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Jeff Flake and Richard Carmona[edit]
The 2012 United States Senate election in Arizona was a significant contest between Republican U.S. Representative Jeff Flake and Democrat Richard Carmona, a former U.S. Surgeon General. The race was held to fill the seat vacated by retiring Senator Jon Kyl. Flake eventually won the election with 49.2% of the vote compared to Carmona's 46.2%, a margin of approximately 68,000 votes.[1]
Background[edit]
Jeff Flake served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013. During his tenure, he was known for his opposition to federal earmarks and his advocacy for reduced government spending. Flake is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and previously served as the executive director of the Goldwater Institute.
Richard Carmona is a physician and former law enforcement officer who served as the 17th Surgeon General of the United States from 2002 to 2006 under President George W. Bush. Before entering politics, he earned a Purple Heart for his service as a Green Beret in the Vietnam War. Carmona was an independent before being recruited by the Democratic Party to run for the Senate seat.[2]
Comparison table[edit]
| Category | Jeff Flake | Richard Carmona |
|---|---|---|
| Political party | Republican | Democratic |
| Previous high office | U.S. Representative (AZ-06) | U.S. Surgeon General |
| Military service | None | U.S. Army Special Forces |
| Affordable Care Act | Favored repeal | Supported the legislation |
| Immigration | Member of the "Gang of Eight" | Supported comprehensive reform |
| Fiscal policy | Strong focus on anti-earmark legislation | Emphasized public health and infrastructure |
| 2012 election result | Winner (49.2%) | Defeated (46.2%) |
2012 Senate campaign[edit]
The campaign focused heavily on the candidates' backgrounds and the national political climate. Flake's campaign and Republican-aligned groups portrayed Carmona as a supporter of President Barack Obama's policies, specifically the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Flake ran on a platform of fiscal restraint, citing his consistent votes against spending bills in the House.[3]
Carmona's campaign emphasized his biography, including his upbringing in a poor household and his military service. He attempted to distance himself from partisan labels, frequently mentioning his appointment by George W. Bush to argue that he could work across the aisle. However, he faced criticism regarding allegations of a volatile temper during his time as Surgeon General and at the University of Arizona, which he denied.[4]
Post-election careers[edit]
Flake served one term in the Senate before retiring in 2019. During his Senate term, he became a frequent critic of Donald Trump, which led to a decline in his approval ratings among the Republican primary electorate in Arizona. In 2021, he was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey by President Joe Biden.
Carmona returned to the private sector and academia following his loss. He took a position as a professor at the University of Arizona's Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. In 2021, he was appointed as the director of Arizona's statewide COVID-19 vaccination efforts by Republican Governor Doug Ducey.
References[edit]
- ↑ General Election Results. Arizona Secretary of State. November 2012.
- ↑ Steinhauer, Jennifer. "In Arizona, a Democrat's Senate Bid Hinges on His Nonpartisan Past." The New York Times. October 15, 2012.
- ↑ Barone, Michael. The Almanac of American Politics. University of Chicago Press. 2013.
- ↑ Sunnucks, Mike. "Flake, Carmona Senate race gets heated." Phoenix Business Journal. September 2012.
