U.S. Governor
The Resume
(May 12, 1924- )
Republican Governor of Arizona (January 6, 1987-April 4, 1988)
Impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors (April 4, 1988)
Why he might be annoying
He was a member of the John Birch Society.
He unsuccessfully ran for Senator (1962).
He won the election for governor on his fifth try, being elected in a three-candidate election by a plurality (39.6% of the vote).
One of his first acts as governor was canceling the Martin Luther King holiday.
Although there were some very good arguments against the holiday at the time it was implemented, Mecham said, 'King doesn't deserve a holiday.'
This caused a protest march on the state capital, with Stevie Wonder declaring a boycott on the state.
He nominated a man who had served time for armed robbery to be chief of prison construction, a man who allegedly failed to file his tax returns on time for the Department of Revenue, and a man under investigation for murder to be the head of the Liquor Licenses and Control Department.
He argued with the press.
His consistent ability to outrage eventually led Ed Buck, a gay Arizona businessman, to lead the effort to recall him.
GOP staffers compared Mecham to 'Thanksgiving leftovers. You know how it is, you can never seem to get rid of the turkey.'
He became the butt of jokes, such as 'Q: Why did Evan Mecham cancel Easter? A: Because he heard some of the eggs were going to be colored.' or 'Q: What do Evan Mecham's political appointees have in common? A: Parole officers.'
He was impeached in 1988 after the Senate convicted him of high crimes and misdemeanors for allegedly hiding an illegal campaign contribution.
Why he might not be annoying
He eliminated a $157 million deficit.
He opened a trade office in Taiwan that allowed the US to export cotton to Taiwan.
He strengthened Arizona's drug abuse prevention program.
Although the Senate convicted him, a court of law acquitted him on all charges.
Credit: Wuffle
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Year In Review:
For 2009, as of last week, Out of 29 Votes: 37.93% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 67 Votes: 64.18% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 85 Votes: 70.59% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 123 Votes: 73.98% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 324 Votes: 53.40% Annoying
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