Doug Ducey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Doug Ducey
Ducey in 2024
23rd Governor of Arizona
In office January 5, 2015 – January 2, 2023
Preceded by	Jan Brewer
Succeeded by	Katie Hobbs
Chair of the Republican Governors Association
In office December 9, 2020 – November 17, 2022 Serving with Pete Ricketts (2021–2022)
Preceded by	Greg Abbott
Succeeded by	Kim Reynolds
42nd Treasurer of Arizona
In office January 3, 2011 – January 5, 2015
Governor	Jan Brewer
Preceded by	Dean Martin
Succeeded by	Jeff DeWit
Personal details
Born	Douglas Anthony Roscoe Jr. (1964-04-09) April 9, 1964 (age 61) Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Angela Herbert ​ (m. 1992)​
Children	3
Education	Arizona State University (BS)

Douglas Anthony Ducey (born April 9, 1964) is an American businessman and politician. He is a member of the Republican Party. Ducey served as the 23rd governor of Arizona from 2015 to 2023. Before that, he was the Arizona State Treasurer from 2011 to 2015.

Ducey was also the CEO of the ice cream company Cold Stone Creamery from 1995 to 2007. He grew up in Ohio but moved to Arizona for college. He attended Arizona State University (ASU) and earned a degree in finance.

In 2014, Ducey won the election for governor of Arizona. He was reelected in 2018. As governor, he was also chosen to be the chair of the Republican Governors Association. He finished his second term as governor on January 2, 2023. He was succeeded by Katie Hobbs.

Early Life and Education

Ducey was born in Toledo, Ohio. His birth name was Douglas Anthony Roscoe Jr. His parents were Madeline Scott and Douglas Roscoe, who was a police officer.

His parents divorced, and his mother later married a businessman named Michael Ducey. In 1976, Michael adopted Douglas and his siblings. Douglas's last name was legally changed to Ducey.

Ducey graduated from St. John's Jesuit High School in 1982. He then moved to Arizona to attend Arizona State University. While in college, he worked for Hensley & Co., a beverage company. He graduated in 1986 with a degree in finance.

Business and Political Career

Work in Business

After college, Ducey worked in sales and marketing for the company Procter & Gamble. In 1995, he became the CEO of Cold Stone Creamery. When he and his business partner sold the company in 2007, it had over 1,400 stores in the U.S. and other countries.

From 2008 to 2012, he was the lead investor and chairman of the board for iMemories. This company turns old photos and home movies into digital files.

Arizona State Treasurer

Ducey speaking to a group in 2012

In 2010, Ducey was elected as the state treasurer of Arizona. As the state's main banker, he managed over $12 billion in state money. He was also in charge of investments for local governments.

During his time as treasurer, he supported a measure called Proposition 118. This made it simpler for schools to get money from Arizona’s State Land Trust. Voters in Arizona passed this measure in 2012.

Running for Governor

2014 Election

Ducey accepting his party's nomination for governor in August 2014.

In 2014, Ducey announced he was running for governor of Arizona. He won the Republican Party's nomination in the primary election. He was supported by many well-known Republicans.

In the main election on November 4, Ducey defeated the Democratic candidate, Fred DuVal.

2018 Election

Ducey at a campaign rally in Gilbert, Arizona in October 2018.

Ducey ran for reelection in 2018. He easily won his party's primary election. In the November election, he was reelected as governor by defeating the Democratic candidate, David Garcia.

Governor of Arizona (2015–2023)

Ducey with Mike Pence at a campaign event in October 2016.

Ducey became governor on January 5, 2015. One of his first actions was to freeze the hiring of new state employees. This was done to help balance the state's budget. He signed a $9.1 billion budget that got rid of a $1.5 billion deficit without raising taxes.

In 2015, he signed a law making Arizona the first state to require high school students to pass the U.S. citizenship test to graduate.

In 2018, after the death of Senator John McCain, Ducey appointed former Senator Jon Kyl to fill the empty Senate seat. When Kyl left the Senate, Ducey appointed Martha McSally to take his place.

Ducey served two full four-year terms as governor. He left office on January 2, 2023.

Focus on Education

Ducey with Wisconsin governor Scott Walker in March 2015

Ducey increased funding for K-12 schools every year he was governor. In 2015, he led a campaign for Proposition 123. This plan put $3.5 billion into K-12 education over 10 years.

In 2018, he announced a plan to raise teacher salaries by 20% over three years. This promise was kept. He also signed a 20-year extension of Proposition 301, a sales tax that helps fund Arizona's schools.

In 2017, Ducey created the Arizona Teachers Academy. This program helps future teachers graduate from college without debt if they promise to teach in Arizona's public schools.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Ducey meets with President Trump in the White House in August 2020 to discuss the pandemic.

The first case of COVID-19 in Arizona was announced on January 26, 2020. On March 11, Ducey declared a state of emergency. He and the state's education leader announced a statewide school closure. On March 30, he issued a stay-at-home order that lasted until May 15.

In May 2020, some businesses were allowed to reopen. By June, the number of COVID-19 cases in Arizona had greatly increased. In response, Ducey ordered some businesses like bars and gyms to close again for 30 days. He also gave local mayors the power to require people to wear face masks.

In August 2020, his office released guidelines for reopening schools safely. By March 2021, as cases went down, Ducey ordered all schools to offer in-person classes. He also lifted most business restrictions and ended the state's mask rules.

Border Wall Project

In the final weeks of his term, Ducey ordered a temporary wall to be built on the border with Mexico. The wall was made of large shipping containers. The project was built on federal land in the Coronado National Forest without permission. In December 2022, Ducey's administration agreed to stop building and take down the container wall.

Personal Life

Ducey met his wife, Angela, at Arizona State University. They have three sons and live in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Ducey is a member of the Catholic Church.

Electoral History

Images for kids

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  Ducey speaking at a "Tax Cuts Now" rally in Phoenix, November 2017

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  Ducey watches as President Trump signs a plaque at the southern border wall in June 2020

See also

In Spanish: Doug Ducey para niños