Jan Brewer Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Jan Brewer
Brewer in 2011

22nd Governor of Arizona
In office January 21, 2009 – January 5, 2015
Preceded by	Janet Napolitano
Succeeded by	Doug Ducey
18th Secretary of State of Arizona
In office January 6, 2003 – January 21, 2009
Governor	Janet Napolitano
Preceded by	Betsey Bayless
Succeeded by	Ken Bennett
Member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
In office January 3, 1997 – January 6, 2003
Preceded by	Ed King
Succeeded by	Max Wilson
Member of the Arizona Senate from the 19th district
In office January 6, 1987 – January 3, 1997
Preceded by	Billy Davis
Succeeded by	Scott Bundgaard
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 19th district
In office January 3, 1983 – January 6, 1987
Preceded by	Jane Dee Hull
Succeeded by	Don Kenney

Personal details
Born	Janice Kay Drinkwine (1944-09-26) September 26, 1944 (age 80) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	John Brewer (m. 1970)
Children	3
Education	Glendale Community College (California)
Signature

Janice Kay Brewer (born September 26, 1944) is an American politician who was the 22nd governor of Arizona. She served from 2009 to 2015 and is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming governor, Brewer served in the Arizona House of Representatives, the Arizona Senate, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and as the Secretary of State of Arizona.

As governor, Brewer had to deal with major money problems in the state. She became famous across the country in 2010 for signing a strict immigration law known as SB 1070.

Brewer was also known for her disagreements with President Barack Obama on topics like immigration and healthcare. Even though she opposed his main healthcare law, she worked to pass its Medicaid expansion in Arizona. This provided health insurance to more people with low incomes. She also got national attention when she vetoed a bill that critics said would have allowed discrimination against certain groups.

Early Life and Family
Early Political Career
Governor of Arizona
After Leaving Office
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Family

Jan Brewer was born in Hollywood, California. When she was a child, her father passed away. Her mother opened a dress shop to support the family, and Jan helped her at the store.

After high school, Brewer went to Glendale Community College and earned a certificate to be a radiological technician. This is a person who uses X-ray machines and other equipment in hospitals.

She married John Brewer, and they moved to Arizona in the 1970s. They settled in Glendale, Arizona, and had three sons. Brewer stayed home to raise her children while her husband worked.

Early Political Career

Brewer's interest in politics began when she wanted to be more involved in her children's education. She decided to run for a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives in 1982 and won. After serving there, she was elected to the Arizona Senate in 1986. In the Senate, she became a leader for her party.

In 1996, Brewer was elected to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. This is a group that helps run the county government. She focused on being careful with the county's money.

Brewer in 2008

In 2002, Brewer was elected Secretary of State of Arizona. The Secretary of State is in charge of overseeing elections and making sure they are fair. She worked to improve the voting process in Arizona.

Governor of Arizona

Becoming Governor

In 2009, Arizona's governor, Janet Napolitano, left to take a job in President Barack Obama's government. Because Brewer was Secretary of State, she was next in line to become governor.

When she took office, Arizona was facing serious money problems because of the Great Recession. The state had a large budget deficit, which means it was spending more money than it was taking in. To fix this, Brewer and the state legislature made cuts to government spending. She also asked voters to approve a temporary increase in the state sales tax, which they did.

2010 Election and SB 1070

Governor Brewer meeting with President Barack Obama in June 2010.

In 2010, Brewer signed a law called SB 1070. It was the strictest law about immigration in the United States at the time. The law allowed police to ask for a person's residency papers if they suspected the person was in the country without permission.

The law was very popular with many voters in Arizona and helped her become more well-known. However, it also caused large protests across the country. People who opposed the law worried it would lead to unfair treatment of Hispanic people. The law made Brewer a national figure, and she won the election for a full term as governor later that year.

Second Term as Governor

Brewer being escorted at her 2011 inauguration

During her second term, Brewer continued to be a major voice in national politics. A photo of her pointing her finger at President Obama on an airport runway became a famous image of her time as governor.

Brewer surprised many people when she decided to expand Arizona's Medicaid program. This program uses federal money to provide health insurance for people with low incomes. Many members of her own Republican party were against it, but Brewer fought hard to get the plan passed.

In 2014, she received more national attention for vetoing a bill known as SB 1062. A veto is when a governor refuses to sign a bill into law. Critics said the bill would have allowed businesses to refuse service to gay customers. Brewer said that while religious freedom is important, the bill could have had bad results and divided people.

Brewer was not able to run for a third term because of term limits in Arizona's constitution. Her time as governor ended in January 2015.

After Leaving Office

After her term as governor ended, Jan Brewer remained active in politics. She supported Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. She continues to share her opinions on political issues in Arizona and the nation.

Images for kids

Brewer at the reopening of Grand Canyon National Park in 2013
A sign opposing SB 1070. Brewer's support for the law sparked both support and opposition.
Brewer presenting the state flag in Phoenix to military units in 2009
Brewer in 2014
Brewer speaking at a 2016 campaign rally for Donald Trump and Mike Pence in Phoenix, Arizona