Jane Dee Hull

Jane Dee Hull was an American politician and educator who served as the 20th governor of Arizona from 1997 to 2003. As a member of the Republican Party, she made history as the first woman to be formally elected to the governorship in Arizona and the second woman to hold the office overall. Hull's political career spanned several decades, during which she held various significant positions, including Secretary of State and Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives. Her tenure as governor was marked by both achievements and challenges, including notable legislation and political controversies.

Early life and career

Jane Dee Hull was born Jane Dee Bowersock on August 8, 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the daughter of Mildred Swenson and Justin Bowersock, who worked as an editor for The Kansas City Star. Hull pursued higher education at the University of Kansas, where she earned a degree in education. Following her graduation, she began her career as an elementary school teacher in Kansas.

In 1962, Hull relocated to Arizona with her husband, Terry Hull, who was training to become an obstetrician. While her husband worked with the Navajo Nation, Hull focused on raising their four children and teaching English. Her entry into politics was inspired by a speech from Barry Goldwater during the 1964 United States presidential election, which motivated her to become involved in political campaigning.

Hull's formal political career began in 1978 when she was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives as a Republican. Over the course of her political career, she served seven terms in the House, during which she held several leadership positions, including House Majority Whip and Speaker of the House. Notably, she became the first woman to serve as Speaker in Arizona's history. During her tenure, Hull faced significant challenges, including a major political scandal known as AZSCAM in 1991, which led to the resignation or removal of multiple legislators. In response, she implemented ethics reforms aimed at restoring public trust in the legislative process.

Throughout her career, Hull was recognized as a centrist or moderate Republican, with a political stance characterized as fiscally conservative and socially moderate. Her legislative experience laid the groundwork for her future role in state leadership.

Governorship

Hull's ascent to the governorship began when she was elected Arizona Secretary of State in 1994. Following the resignation of Governor Fife Symington due to a felony conviction, Hull assumed the governorship on September 5, 1997. She was sworn in by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, marking a significant moment in Arizona's political history, as Hull became the first woman to hold the office in an official capacity.

In 1998, Hull successfully ran for governor in her own right, defeating former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson in a significant electoral victory. This election was notable for being the first instance in U.S. history where all five top elected executive offices in a state were held by women, which included Hull as governor, Betsey Bayless as secretary of state, Janet Napolitano as attorney general, Carol Springer as treasurer, and Lisa Graham Keegan as Superintendent of Public Instruction.

During her time in office, Hull's relationship with U.S. Senator John McCain was reportedly strained, particularly after she endorsed his opponent, Texas Governor George W. Bush, during the 2000 presidential primary season. Hull's governorship was also marked by legislative challenges, including her signature on a controversial bill related to alternative fuels. The legislation aimed to incentivize the purchase of vehicles that could run on alternative fuels but resulted in significant financial implications for the state, costing much more than initially projected.

Hull's governorship included overseeing significant events, including the execution of Walter LaGrand, which occurred amid a recommendation for clemency from the Arizona clemency board. This event highlighted the complexities and challenges of her role as governor.

Hull served one full term in office, as she was constitutionally barred from seeking a second consecutive term in 2002. She was succeeded by Janet Napolitano, who won the gubernatorial election against Matt Salmon.

Policy focus and legacy

Throughout her time in office, Hull focused on various policy areas, including education, public safety, and ethics reform. Her experience as an educator informed her approach to educational policy, and she advocated for initiatives aimed at improving the state's educational system. Hull's leadership style was characterized by a commitment to ethical governance, particularly in response to the political scandals that had affected the Arizona legislature during her earlier career.

After leaving office, Hull continued to engage in public service, including a role as a public delegate to the United Nations General Assembly in 2004. Following the death of Rose Mofford in 2016, Hull became the oldest living former governor of Arizona and the oldest living former Secretary of State of Arizona. Her contributions to Arizona's political landscape were recognized through various honors, including the naming of an elementary school in Chandler after her.

Hull passed away on April 16, 2020, at the age of 84, the same day her husband also died. Her legacy as a pioneering female politician in Arizona remains significant, reflecting her role in shaping the state's governance and her contributions to advancing women's representation in political leadership.