Ken Bennett

Range of Years Served: 
2009-2014
Party: 
Republican
Served as Secretary of State: Jan. 26, 2009 – 2014 Born: Aug. 1, 1959, Tucson, Pima County, Ariz. Ken Bennett was appointed by Gov. Jan Brewer to replace her as secretary of state, and took the oath of office on Jan. 26, 2009. Bennett was subsequently elected by the voters to the office on Nov. 2, 2010. Prior to becoming secretary, Bennett had served as Arizona State Senate President.

Biography

Name:  Kenneth “Ken” R. Bennett

Name as Secretary of State: Ken Bennett

Notes: Guitar player, once known as one of the "Singing Senators" in the Arizona Legislature.

Other Elected Offices:
Arizona State Senate: Office Years: 1999 – 2006, President: 2003 – 2006
Prescott City Council: Office Years: 1985 – 1989
Mayor Pro Tempore: 1988

Education: Prescott High School, 1977; Yavapai College, 1978, 1981; Church Service/voluntary missionary, Southern Japan, 1978 – 1980; Bachelor of Science, Accounting, Arizona State University, 1984

Occupations: Bennett’s Oil Co., CEO, 1984 – 2006, board of directors, 1989 –

Memberships: Arizona State Board of Education, 1992 – 1999 (president, 1996,1998); Education Leaders Council, Washington, DC, 1995 – ; Arizona State Charter Schools Board, 1994 – 1996; Governor's Task Force on Education Reform, 1991 – 1992; Prescott Chamber of Commerce board of directors, 1991 – 1993; chairman of the board of directors for Global Building Systems, Inc. and Energy Tech America; board of directors for Cancer Treatment Centers of America (Western Regional Medical Center, in Goodyear).

Notable: When did you first learn to play [the guitar]? I think I was about eight or nine…. There was an older couple in the Prescott area who had a music store and they gave [guitar and accordion] lessons…. [S]ince I was the oldest brother, I got to choose. I chose the guitar, and my brother, I think, has never forgiven me…. Yes, had I been the second brother in the Bennett family, I would've done all my sine die songs on the accordion.” (Duda, Jeremy. "Q&A with Ken Bennett, Arizona Secretary of State." Arizona Capitol Times, January 9, 2011)

Sources: SOS bio; birth: 2006 Guide to the 47th Legislature (green book); misc. notes compiled on SOS succession to Governorship.