Tim Bee

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On January 19, 2008, Bee launched his campaign to challenge first-term incumbent Democrat Gabby Giffords for Congress in Arizona's 8th congressional district. [9]

On March 7, 2008, the Rothenberg Political Report assessed Bee's campaign to be the number one challenger race in the nation. "In 2008, Giffords will face state Senate President Tim Bee (R), whose candidacy represents a slice of sunshine in an otherwise gloomy election cycle for national Republicans... the 8th District should feature one of the most competitive races for the House in the country." [10] Roll Call newspaper said that Bee's candidacy "erases some key advantages the freshman incumbent carried into her successful 2006 Congressional campaign." [11]

On July 18, 2008, President George W. Bush made his fourth visit to Tucson to attend a fundraiser for Bee. The fundraiser was reported to have generated over $500,000 for Bee's campaign.

Bee's campaign was co-chaired by Tucson businessman Jim Click and Sandra Froman, the immediate past President of the National Rifle Association of America. Former Congressman Jim Kolbe, who held the seat from 1985 until his retirement in 2007, also served as co-chair of the Bee campaign.

Bee was endorsed by both Arizona U.S. Senators; Jon Kyl, the Senate Minority Whip, and John McCain, the GOP nominee for President in the 2008 election.

On November 4, 2008, Bee lost the election to Giffords, 104,444 (41.45%) to 141,618(56.20%). [12]

After the Arizona Senate

In February 2009, Bee was appointed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to head the Governor's Office in Tucson where he served until May 2011. Bee left the Governor's office to take a position as the Senior Director for State Relations at the University of Arizona. Within four months he was promoted to serve as Associate Vice President for State Relations. Bee went on to become the Vice President for Government and Community Relations, overseeing Federal, State, Tribal, and Community Relations and the Office of Presidential Events and Visitor Services. Bee left the UA at the end of 2017 to pursue a career opportunity with the Arizona Builders Alliance where he currently serves as the Vice President, Government and Community Relations .

Personal life

Bee and his wife Grace have been married for 30 years. They live in the Tucson area with their children.

References

  1. Tim Bee - State Senate 30 (Rep)
  2. Project Vote Smart - Senator Timothy S. 'Tim' Bee - Biography
  3. "Member Page - Timothy S. Bee - President - Republican - District 30". Archived from the original on 2007-12-11. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  4. "Opinion - A conversation with Tim Bee". azstarnet.com . Tucson, Arizona: Arizona Daily Star. January 7, 2007. Retrieved 2009-04-19. Sam Negri may have been the interviewer. [ permanent dead link ]
  5. 1 2 "Interest Group Ratings". Project Vote Smart . Archived from the original on October 23, 2008.
  6. Daniel Scarpinato (June 30, 2008). "Phx. session finale rocky for Sen. Bee". Arizona Daily Star. Phoenix, Arizona. Archived from the original on 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  7. "Why Arizona Flipped On Gay Marriage". CBS News. December 2, 2008. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008.
  8. Robb: "Republicans enablers of Dem budget" Robert Robb. Tucson Citizen. 6.30.2008
  9. Daniel Scarpinato (January 20, 2008). "Bee running for House seat because 'Congress is broken'". Arizona Daily Star. Tucson, Arizona. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  10. "The Rothenberg Political Report: New Print Edition: Alaska At-Large & Arizona 8". Washington, D.C.: Stuart Rothenberg. March 12, 2008. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  11. GOP Gets Bee Team In Arizona – Roll Call
  12. Pima County. GEMS Election Results. link
Tim Bee
President of the Arizona Senate
In office
20072009
Political offices
Preceded by President of the Arizona Senate
2007 2009
Succeeded by
Arizona Senate
Preceded by Member of the Arizona Senate for the 30th District
2001 2009
Succeeded by