Doug Ducey Then and Now

Doug Ducey Then

Doug Ducey, born on April 9, 1964, in Toledo, Ohio, experienced a transformative upbringing that influenced his later career in business and politics. 

The son of Madeline Scott and Douglas Roscoe, a former Toledo police officer, Ducey’s early life took a significant turn when his parents divorced. 

In 1975, his mother married businessman Michael Ducey, who later adopted him in 1976, resulting in a legal name change for him and his siblings. 

This family dynamic offered Ducey early insights into resilience and adaptability—qualities that later proved valuable in his professional journey.

After completing high school at St. John’s Jesuit in Toledo in 1982, Ducey relocated to Arizona to attend Arizona State University (ASU). 

While earning his Bachelor of Science degree in finance, he simultaneously worked at Hensley & Co., the Anheuser-Busch distributor managed by Cindy McCain’s family. 

The experience at Hensley exposed Ducey to the world of business operations and distribution early in his career, helping shape his business acumen.

After his 1986 graduation from ASU, Ducey launched his professional career with Procter & Gamble, working in sales and marketing. 

He gained valuable experience that he carried into his tenure as CEO of Cold Stone Creamery from 1995 to 2007. 

Under his leadership, Cold Stone expanded to over 1,400 locations across the U.S. and internationally. 

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Although the company’s sale to Kahala resulted in controversies related to franchise management, Ducey had already established himself as a prominent figure in the business.

Following his time at Cold Stone, Ducey became the lead investor and board chairman for iMemories, a media preservation and digitization company, from 2008 to 2012. 

His leadership in various businesses demonstrated his skill in driving growth and managing organizational challenges, which later became pivotal as he entered the political sphere, where he applied his business expertise as governor of Arizona.

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Doug Ducey’s Political Career

Doug Ducey’s political career began in earnest in 2013 when he took steps to explore a gubernatorial run. 

By February 2014, Ducey officially launched his campaign for Arizona governor, gaining the backing of high-profile conservatives like Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee, as well as Governor Scott Walker and former Senator Jon Kyl. 

He won the Republican primary in August, securing further endorsements from figures like outgoing Governor Jan Brewer, Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake, and a variety of conservative organizations, including Arizona Right to Life and Concerned Women for America. 

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In the November 2014 general election, Ducey emerged victorious over Democrat Fred DuVal and Libertarian Barry Hess, beginning his first term in office on January 5, 2015.

Shortly after assuming office, Ducey implemented a hiring freeze for state employees to address Arizona’s budget challenges. 

In March 2015, he signed a $9.1 billion budget aimed at erasing the state’s $1.5 billion deficit by making significant spending cuts without raising taxes. 

His fiscal policies established a trend of balanced budget proposals throughout his tenure. 

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That same year, he signed an education bill that made Arizona the first state to require high school students to pass the U.S. citizenship test as a graduation requirement, demonstrating his focus on conservative educational reforms.

Ducey’s tenure saw a number of significant legislative decisions. In 2017, he signed SB1367, which required doctors to provide life-saving treatment to babies born alive during abortions or induced deliveries. 

The bill sparked debate over its implications for medical treatment in rare cases. 

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That same year, Ducey expanded school voucher eligibility to include all Arizona students, emphasizing his commitment to school choice. 

In the wake of Senator John McCain’s passing in 2018, Ducey appointed Jon Kyl to McCain’s vacant seat and, after Kyl’s resignation, appointed former Congresswoman Martha McSally to fill the role.

Ducey sought and won reelection in 2018, defeating Democratic challenger David Garcia by a comfortable margin. 

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As governor, he also joined President Donald Trump’s bipartisan Council of Governors in 2019, reflecting his alignment with federal leadership on certain policy issues. 

By January 2021, Ducey had confirmed he would not pursue a U.S. Senate seat in the 2022 elections, choosing instead to complete his gubernatorial term. 

Upon leaving office on January 2, 2023, Ducey became Arizona’s first governor since Bruce Babbitt to serve two full terms, cementing his influence in Arizona politics over the previous decade.

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Doug Ducey’s Wife and Children

While attending Arizona State University, Doug Ducey met his future wife, Angela, marking the beginning of a partnership that would become central to his life. 

The couple later married and established their family in Paradise Valley, Arizona, where they are raising their three sons. 

Balancing his career in business and politics with family life, Ducey often emphasizes the role Angela and their sons play in keeping him grounded and motivated. 

Their life together in Paradise Valley reflects Ducey’s deep connection to Arizona, where both his personal and professional journeys have flourished.

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Doug Ducey Now

Doug Ducey, now 60 years old, is an established figure in American business and politics, having completed two terms as Arizona’s 23rd governor from 2015 to 2023. 

Although there was considerable speculation about his potential run for the U.S. Senate, Ducey ultimately decided not to challenge incumbent Senator Kyrsten Sinema in the 2024 election. 

His departure from office on January 2, 2023, made way for Democrat Katie Hobbs to succeed him, marking a transition in Arizona’s political leadership.

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In June 2023, Ducey took on a new role as CEO of Citizens for Free Enterprise, a political action committee dedicated to promoting economic freedom and pro-business policies. 

His position allows him to continue advocating for free-market principles outside elected office, applying his business and political experience to influence economic policy and entrepreneurship on a national level. 

This new chapter demonstrates Ducey’s ongoing commitment to shaping economic policy, reinforcing his legacy as both a business leader and a conservative voice in American politics.

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