Doug Ducey: Difference between revisions

{{shortShort description|AmericanGovernor businessmanof andArizona politicianfrom (born2015 1964)to 2023}}

| image = Doug Ducey (52540060861) (crop)DougDucey.jpg

| caption = Ducey in 20222018

He became the lead investor and served aswas chairman of the board for iMemories from 2008 to 2012.<ref>{{cite webpress release|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080423005851/en/Doug-Ducey-Named-iMemories-Chairman-Board-Lead|title=Doug Ducey Named iMemories Chairman of the Board to Lead National Expansion of Company|website=businesswire.com|accessdate=November 11, 2016}}</ref>

In [[Arizona elections, 2010|2010]] Ducey was elected [[State Treasurer of Arizona|state treasurer of Arizona]], replacing [[Dean Martin (politician)|Dean Martin]]. As Arizona's chief banker and investment officer, Ducey oversaw more than $12 billion in state assets and served aswas an investment manager for local governments.<ref name="bio">{{cite web|title=Meet Doug Ducey|url=http://dougducey.com/meet-doug-ducey|accessdate=November 6, 2014|publisher=DougDucey.com|archive-date=March 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304002829/https://dougducey.com/meet-doug-ducey/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Treasurer serves as the chairman of Arizona's State Board of Investment and State Loan Commission,<ref name="bio"/> and as the state's surveyor general and a member of the State Land Selection Board. Ducey also served as the western region vice president for the National Association of State Treasurers, and was the president of the Western State Treasurers' Association.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aztreasury.gov/about/treasurer-ducey/|title=Treasurer Ducey profile|website=aztreasury.gov|access-date=September 7, 2016}}</ref>

During his tenure as state treasurer, Ducey created and championed Proposition 118, a ballot measure to simplify how schools receive funding from Arizona’s State Land Trust.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Office of Arizona Governor |first1=Doug Ducey |title=Governor Ducey's Plan To Put $2 Billion In Our Schools |url=https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2015/06/governor-duceys-plan-put-2-billion-our-schools |website=Office of the Arizona Governor |date=June 8, 2015 |access-date=December 13, 2021}}</ref> Arizona voters passed Proposition 118 in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ballotpedia |title=Arizona Permanent Funds Amendment, Proposition 118 (2012) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Arizona_Permanent_Funds_Amendment,_Proposition_118_(2012) |website=Ballotpedia}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2023}}

In 2010, Ducey opposed Proposition 204, an effort to create a permanent 1-cent-per-dollar sales tax for public education, transportation and health services.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cano |first1=Ricardo |title=Failures and successes: A history of Arizona education funding ideas |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-education/2018/07/06/arizona-education-funding-redfored-sales-tax-ballot-election-doug-ducey-jan-brewer-diane-douglas/704085002/ |access-date=December 13, 2021 |publisher=Arizona Republic}}</ref> He formally launched a campaign to defeat the proposition, saying, "we don’t need the money" and "this money still does nothing to improve education".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fischer |first1=Howard |title=Arizona treasurer launches campaign to fight education sales tax initiative |url=https://www.ahwatukee.com/news/valley_and_state/article_028217e1-db16-5ff7-876c-11b48faf8752.html |publisher=Ahwatukee Foothills News}}</ref> Proposition 204 failed, with 63.8% of voters opposing it.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ballotpedia |title=Arizona Sales Tax Renewal Amendment, Proposition 204 (2012) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Arizona_Sales_Tax_Renewal_Amendment,_Proposition_204_(2012) |website=Ballotpedia |access-date=December 13, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2023}}

In 2018, Ducey announced his candidacy for reelection. Former Arizona Secretary of State [[Ken Bennett]] challenged him in the Republican primary and lost by a wide margin.<ref>[https://azsos.gov/sites/default/files/2018%200910%20Signed%20Statewide%20Canvass.pdf State of Arizona Official Canvass] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912091917/https://azsos.gov/sites/default/files/2018%200910%20Signed%20Statewide%20Canvass.pdf |date=September 12, 2018 }} August 28, 2018.</ref> Ducey was reelected in November, defeating Democratic nominee [[David Garcia (politician)|David Garcia]], 56%-42%.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |url=https://azsos.gov/sites/default/files/2018%201203%20Signed%20Official%20Statewide%20Canvass.pdf |title=Statewide canvass |website=azsos.gov |access-date=August 3, 2019 |archive-date=December 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207054635/https://azsos.gov/sites/default/files/2018%201203%20Signed%20Official%20Statewide%20Canvass.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/arizona-governor|title=Arizona Governor Election Results| newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 28, 2019}}</ref>

Ducey was sworn into office on January 5, 2015.<ref>Suerth, Jessica (January 5, 2015). [http://www.statepress.com/2015/01/05/doug-ducey-sworn-in-as-arizonas-23rd-governor "Doug Ducey Sworn in as Arizona's 23rd Governor"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215013601/http://www.statepress.com/2015/01/05/doug-ducey-sworn-in-as-arizonas-23rd-governor |date=February 15, 2015 }}, ''The State Press''; retrieved January 19, 2015.</ref> Shortly after his term began, he instituted a state employee hiring freeze in an effort to balance the state budget.<ref>Schwarz, Hunter (January 12, 2015). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2015/01/12/arizona-governor-institutes-state-employee-hiring-freeze-calls-for-income-tax-change/ "Arizona Governor Institutes State Employee Hiring Freeze, Calls for Income Tax Change"]. ''The Washington Post''; retrieved January 19, 2015.</ref> In March 2015, Ducey signed a $9.1 billion budget that eliminated the state's $1.5 billion budget deficit by reducing spending without instituting a tax increase.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sanchez|first=Ronald J. Hansen, and Yvonne Wingett|title=Ducey signs historically lean $9.1B Arizona budget|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/arizona/politics/2015/03/12/arizona-governor-ducey-signs-state-budget/70244574/|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=The Arizona Republic|language=en-US}}</ref> Ducey has issued balanced budget proposals each fiscal year since 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|lastdate=Family|first=A.January Z.|date=17, 2020|title=Gov. Ducey proposes $12.3 billion spending plan, sends money to best and poorest schools|url=https://www.kold.com/2020/01/17/gov-ducey-proposes-billion-spending-plan-sends-money-best-poorest-schools/|access-date=July 7, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref>

After cuts to education during the [[Great Recession in the United States|Great Recession]], Ducey increased funding to K-12 schools above inflation every year during his tenure.<ref>{{cite web |title=PRIMER: Investing In Arizona's K-12 Classrooms |url=https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2019/04/primer-investing-arizonas-k-12-classrooms |website=Office of the Arizona Governor Doug Ducey |date=April 29, 2019 |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306115657/https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2019/04/primer-investing-arizonas-k-12-classrooms |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since 2015, Arizona has added $4.5 billion in total new investments into schools and increased K-12 public school funding by $2.3 billion annually.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Altavena |first1=Lily |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-education/2020/01/30/how-much-arizona-spending-education-and-where-going/4532563002/ |title=How much has Arizona spent on education since #RedForEd? The numbers you need to know |accessdate=October 23, 2020 |work=Arizona Republic |date=January 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=K-12 Funding (M&O, Capital and Other) FY 2012 through FY 2021 est |url=https://www.azleg.gov/jlbc/allfunding.pdf |website=Arizona State Legislature |publisher=Joint Legislative Budget Committee |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218204506/https://www.azleg.gov/jlbc/allfunding.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2015, Ducey led the campaign to pass Proposition 123, putting $3.5 billion into K-12 education over 10 years. The proposition, which passed the [[Arizona State Legislature|state legislature]] and was approved by voters, also settled a years-long lawsuit about education funding.<ref>{{cite web |title=Governor Ducey Signs 20 Percent Increase In Teacher Pay |url=https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2018/05/governor-ducey-signs-20-percent-increase-teacher-pay-0 |website=Office of the Arizona Governor Doug Ducey |date=May 3, 2018 |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306120046/https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2018/05/governor-ducey-signs-20-percent-increase-teacher-pay-0 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2018, in response to [[2018-19 education workers' strikes in the United States|nationwide teacher protests]], Ducey announced the "20x2020" plan, which would raise teacher salaries 20% over three years and restore Recession-era cuts to flexible school funding known as additional assistance. The promise was fulfilled on schedule through the fiscal year 2021 budget, which included $645 million in permanent funding for teacher raises. The promised restoration of additional assistance dollars has taken place ahead of schedule.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arizona Governor Doug Ducey |url=https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2018/05/governor-ducey-signs-20-percent-increase-teacher-pay-0 |website=Office of the Governor Doug Ducey |date=May 3, 2018 |accessdate=October 23, 2020 |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306120046/https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2018/05/governor-ducey-signs-20-percent-increase-teacher-pay-0 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Also in 2018, Ducey signed a 20-year extension of Proposition 301, a voter-approved initiative passed in 2000 and championed by then-[[Jane Dee Hull|Governor Jane Hull]]. The proposition provides about $667 million annually to Arizona’s K-12 public schools, universities, community colleges, and tribal schools through a 0.6% sales tax.<ref>{{cite web |title=Proposition 301 |url=https://education.azgovernor.gov/edu/proposition-301 |website=Office of Education, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey |date=March 26, 2018 |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303051113/https://education.azgovernor.gov/edu/proposition-301 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2017, Ducey implemented the first-ever dedicated funding for school counselors and the establishment of the Arizona Teachers Academy, a partnership with [[Arizona State University]], [[University of Arizona]], and [[Northern Arizona University]] that enables future Arizona public school teachers to graduate with a teaching degree debt-free.<ref>{{cite web |title=Advancing Arizona's Teacher Workforce |url=https://education.azgovernor.gov/edu/arizona-teachers-academy |website=Office of Education, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey |date=September 19, 2017 |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303052117/https://education.azgovernor.gov/edu/arizona-teachers-academy |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In August 2017, after violence by [[White nationalism|protesters]] at a gathering in [[Charlottesville, Virginia|Charlottesville]], Virginia, Ducey said in response to a reporter's question that he had no interest in removing [[List of Confederate monuments and memorials|Confederate monuments]] from public lands in Arizona.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2017/08/14/ducey-stands-ground-on-confederate-monuments-in-wake-of-racial-violence/|title=Ducey stands ground on confederate monuments in wake of racial violence – Arizona Capitol Times|last=Services|first=Howard |last=Fischer, Capitol Media|website=azcapitoltimes.com|date=August 14, 2017|access-date=August 15, 2017}}</ref> He condemned groups like the [[Ku Klux Klan]] and [[Neo-Nazism|Neo-Nazis]] and said, "It's important that people know our history... I don't think we should try to hide our history."<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tucson.com/news/local/ducey-condemns-white-nationalists-says-confederate-monuments-can-stay/article_75064a94-5663-5ec6-9f1a-f691d38b5787.html|title=Ducey condemns white nationalists, says Confederate monuments can stay|last=Fischer|first=Howard |website=Arizona Daily Star|date=August 14, 2017 |language=en|access-date=January 4, 2020}}</ref>

In March 2022, Ducey signed two [[transgender]]-related bills into law. One bans transgender people from playing on school sports teams aligning with their [[gender identity]] rather than their biological sex. One bars people [[Age of majority|under 18]] from receiving [[Sex reassignment surgery|sex-reassignment surgeries]].<ref>{{Cite web |author=Devan Cole |title=Arizona governor signs bill outlawing gender-affirming care for transgender youth and approves anti-trans sports ban |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/30/politics/arizona-transgender-health-care-ban-sports-ban/index.html |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=CNN|date=March 30, 2022 }}</ref>

Under Ducey, the state government was mandated to "shrink", which led Ducey-appointed administrator Tim Jeffries to fire over 400 state employees at the [[Arizona Department of Economic Security]] (DES). Ducey then prohibited theDES leadership from firing employees. The employees were fired for infractions such as questioning leadership for sending purportedly political emails on government systems. Fired employees will be able to petition for reconsideration of their firings with the state HR chief, but do not have the rights in employment they once did because of a law signed by [[Jan Brewer|Governor Brewer]] that converted them to at-will employment in return for bonuses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-investigations/2016/10/26/governor-takes-away-des-director-power-to-fire-employees/92439974/ |title=Gov. Doug Ducey takes away DES director's power to fire employees |website=Azcentral.com |date=October 26, 2016 |accessdate=December 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-investigations/2016/10/17/state-firings-increasing-under-gov-doug-duceys-administration/91678058/ |title=State firings increase under Ducey in quest to shrink government |website=Azcentral.com |date=October 17, 2016 |accessdate=December 7, 2016}}</ref>

As governor, Ducey signed legislation to expand the Arizona Supreme Court, seating two additional justices of his choosing.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Services|first=Howard |last=Fischer Capitol Media|title=Ducey signs law adding 2 justices to Arizona Supreme Court|url=https://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/ducey-signs-law-adding-2-justices-to-arizona-supreme-court/article_19f500f3-4db7-5d64-b6c4-2b053df92a00.html|access-date=September 20, 2020|website=Arizona Daily Star|date=May 18, 2016 |language=en}}</ref> In doing so, he denied that he was [[packing the court]].<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|last=Services|first=Howard |last=Fischer Capitol Media|title=Ducey signs law adding 2 justices to Arizona Supreme Court|url=https://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/ducey-signs-law-adding-2-justices-to-arizona-supreme-court/article_19f500f3-4db7-5d64-b6c4-2b053df92a00.html|access-date=October 8, 2020|website=Arizona Daily Star|date=May 18, 2016 |language=en}}</ref> The legislation was "championed by Republicans but decried by Democrats as an effort by the governor to pack the court with his nominees."<ref name="APNames2">{{cite web|date=November 28, 2016|title=Ducey names 2 to Supreme Court|url=http://www.cbs5az.com/story/33808206/ducey-names-2-to-new-arizona-supreme-court-seats?autostart=true|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In November 2016, Ducey appointed Arizona Court of Appeals Judge [[Andrew Gould (judge)|Andrew Gould]] and state Solicitor General [[John Lopez IV]] to the two new seats.<ref name="APNames2" /> Lopez is the state's first Latino justice.<ref>{{cite web|title=Robb: Ducey never mentioned first Latino Arizona Supreme Court justice's race|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/robertrobb/2016/12/05/ducey-first-latino-justice/94828286/|accessdate=August 27, 2018|publisher=}}</ref>

The [[Arizona Department of Health Services]] announced the first case of [[COVID-19]] in Arizona on January 26, 2020, a student at [[Arizona State University]] who returned from [[Wuhan]], China.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|lastdate=EasternJune Arizona14, Courier|date=2020|title=COVID-19 Timeline|url=https://www.eacourier.com/covid-19-timeline/article_cf7b0552-ae81-11ea-8c85-eb333801f011.html|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=Eastern Arizona Courier|language=en}}</ref> The number of cases rose to nine by mid-March.<ref name=":5" /> On March 11, Ducey declared a state of emergency and activated the state's [[emergency operations center]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Oxford|first=Andrew|date=March 11, 2020|title=Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signs emergency health declaration on new coronavirus|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2020/03/11/ducey-declares-health-emergency-arizona-new-coronavirus/5025505002/|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=The Arizona Republic|language=en-US}}</ref> He also issued executive orders directing the state health department to issue emergency rules to protect residents living in nursing homes and group homes.<ref name=":6" /> On March 15, Ducey and State Superintendent of Public Instruction [[Kathy Hoffman]] jointly announced a statewide school closure.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Helm|first=Bill|date=March 30, 2020|title=Ducey, Hoffman announce coronavirus school closures extended through end of school year|url=https://www.verdenews.com/news/2020/mar/30/ducey-hoffman-announce-coronavirus-school-closures/|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=Verde Independent|language=en}}</ref>

On March 30, 2020, Ducey issued a stay-at-home order for one month until April 30.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Polletta|first=Maria|date=April 29, 2020|title=Ducey extends stay-at-home order through May 15 but eases some restrictions on businesses|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2020/04/29/arizona-gov-doug-ducey-gives-update-stay-at-home-order-coronavirus-covid-19/3032731001/|access-date=May 9, 2020|website=azcentral|language=en}}</ref> On April 29, he extended the stay-at-home order until May 15.<ref name=":2" /> On May 12, Arizona began allowing certain businesses to reopen; both the lockdown and reopening were later cited in two recall efforts against Ducey.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Arizona Public Media|date=May 12, 2020|title=Ducey: Arizona stay-at-home order expires Friday|url=https://news.azpm.org/p/news-topical-health/2020/5/12/172407-ducey-stay-at-home-order-expires-friday/|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=news.azpm.org|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Fischer|first=Howard|date=May 2, 2020|title=Health department issues guidelines for reopening retail|url=https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2020/05/02/health-department-issues-guidelines-for-reopening-retail/|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=Arizona Capitol Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=Doug Ducey recall, Governor of Arizona (2020) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Doug_Ducey_recall,_Governor_of_Arizona_(2020) |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref> The reopening contradicted the advice of academic experts.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=2020|title=After outcry, Arizona restores partnership with team projecting increased coronavirus cases|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/after-outcry-arizona-restores-partnership-with-team-projecting-increased-coronavirus-cases/2020/05/07/a26b3976-909d-11ea-a9c0-73b93422d691_story.html|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=12 News|date=April 23, 2020|title=ASU report warns that COVID-19 related deaths could rise by thousands if social distancing is lifted too soon|url=https://www.12news.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/arizona-state-university-report-warns-that-covid-19-related-deaths-could-rise-by-thousands-if-social-distancing-is-lifted-too-soon/75-cb3a4fd2-2fce-4369-8d76-f6fb11516e39|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=12news.com|language=en-US}}</ref> At the same time Ducey was reopening the state, he ended cooperation with a team of epidemiologists and statisticians from the [[University of Arizona]] and Arizona State University.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Sayers|first=Justin|date=May 7, 2020|title=Arizona reverses call to make state university experts stop work modeling the coronavirus outbreak|url=https://tucson.com/news/local/arizona-reverses-call-to-make-state-university-experts-stop-work-modeling-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_16281bf4-909e-11ea-9a3e-67acaef9e110.html|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=Arizona Daily Star|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=Stern|first=Ray|date=May 7, 2020|title=Ducey: Don't Blame Me for 'Firing' Coronavirus Modeling Scientists|url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arizona-fired-coronavirus-modeling-researchers-ducey-11469166|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=Phoenix New Times}}</ref> After public criticism, the department resumed the cooperation.<ref name=":3" />

In May 2020, Arizona sought a uniform approach to COVID-19 with consistent mitigation requirements statewide.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|last=Christie|first=Bob|date=June 17, 2020|title=Arizona governor says mayors allowed to require face masks|work=[[Associated Press]]|url=https://apnews.com/89d47a16869b4c9172b179a8f3c19192|access-date=}}</ref> On June 15, mayors and local governments requested the power to move forward with localized [[Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic|face mask]] ordinances, including a letter to Ducey from mayors of [[Mexico–United States border|border]] towns.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|last=Sturgis|first=Lisa|date=June 17, 2020|title=Ducey allows local leaders to mandate masks|work=[[KYMA-DT]]|url=https://kyma.com/news/arizona-news/2020/06/17/breaking-news-ducey-allows-local-leaders-to-mandate-masks/|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=June 16, 2020|title=Officials seek permission to impose face mask mandate|work=[[Nogales International]]|url=https://www.nogalesinternational.com/news/coronavirus/officials-seek-permission-to-impose-face-mask-mandate/article_6ffa942e-b00e-11ea-a31c-47334ce22210.html|access-date=}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite news|last=Phillips|first=Nick|date=June 18, 2020|title=Governor: Local governments can impose face mask requirements|work=[[Nogales International]]|url=https://www.nogalesinternational.com/news/coronavirus/governor-local-governments-can-impose-face-mask-requirements/article_ca6902fa-b104-11ea-a6ba-eb15f7756d1c.html|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=June 5, 2020|title=Nogales mayor asks Gov. Ducey for authority to require city's residents to wear masks|work=[[KNXV-TV|ABC 15 Arizona]]|url=https://www.abc15.com/news/region-central-southern-az/nogales/city-of-nogales-mayor-asking-gov-ducey-for-authority-to-require-masks|access-date=}}</ref><ref name=":12" /> Ducey gave mayors that power on June 17.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":10" /><ref name=":11" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|last=Fischer|first=Howard|date=June 17, 2020|title=Governor gives cities, counties power to require masks in public|url=https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2020/06/17/governor-gives-cities-counties-power-to-require-masks-in-public/|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=Arizona Capitol Times|language=en-US}}</ref> Since then, five counties and 47 cities and towns have issued face mask requirements covering more than 90% of Arizona residents.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Arizona League of Cities and Towns|date=|title=COVID-19 Response: County and Municipal Mask Requirements|url=http://www.leagueaz.org/e/covid_19/mask_requirements.html|access-date=July 7, 2020|website=leagueaz.org}}</ref><ref name=":42">{{Cite web|last=Fifield|first=Joshua Bowling, Alison Steinbach, Sasha Hupka, Lorraine Longhi, Paulina Pineda, Rafael Carranza and Jen|title=Cities from Scottsdale to Surprise require face masks in public; Maricopa County mandate covers the rest|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2020/06/17/gov-doug-ducey-gives-cities-authority-mandate-face-masks-public/3210588001/|access-date=July 6, 2020|website=The Arizona Republic|language=en-US}}</ref> In July, Arizona launched a program to provide free masks to senior citizens and people with medical conditions.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=July 16, 2020|title=Doug Ducey ramps up public health funding, offers free masks for elderly|work=[[KTAR-FM|KTAR News 92.3]]|url=https://ktar.com/story/3401575/doug-ducey-ramps-up-public-health-funding-offers-free-masks-for-elderly/|access-date=}}</ref>

Due to unhappiness with Ducey's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, some constituents filed [[Recall election|recall petitions]] against him.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Services |first1=Howard Fischer Capitol Media |title=Arizona coronavavirus protest organizer seeks recall of Gov. Ducey |url=https://tucson.com/news/state-and-regional/arizona-coronavavirus-protest-organizer-seeks-recall-of-gov-ducey/article_7934a2b6-3ff2-524e-aab3-4527ee0579e9.html |work=Arizona Daily Star |language=en}}</ref> One such group, Arizonans for Liberty, a largely conservative group believing that Ducey infringed on personal freedoms with lockdowns in late March 2020, filed on May 1, 2020; the group did not publish estimates of the number of signatures collected, but failed to collect enough signatures to initiate a recall.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.arizonaliberty.us/aboutus.html |website=www.arizonaliberty.us}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> Another group, Accountable Arizona, a nonpartisan, grassroots movement believing that Ducey had not done enough to combat the pandemic, filed on September 18, 2020, and gathered over 150,000 signatures before their January 16 deadline, but far fewer than the 594,111 required to trigger a recall election.<ref>{{cite web |title=FAQ |url=https://www.accountablearizona.org/faq |website=Accountable Arizona}}</ref><ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Petition |url=https://www.accountablearizona.org/petition |website=Accountable Arizona}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Reyes |first1=Anthony Victor |title=Non-partisan group seeks to recall Gov. Ducey over efforts combatting COVID-19 |url=https://kvoa.com/news/top-stories/2020/09/18/non-partisan-group-seeks-to-recall-gov-ducey-over-efforts-combatting-covid-19/ |work=KVOA |publisher=KVOA |date=September 18, 2020}}</ref>

On March 3, 2021, Ducey ordered all Arizona schools to offer in-person learning by March 15, with exceptions for counties with high transmission rates, including Pinal, Coconino, and Yavapai.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.12news.com/article/news/education/arizona-gov-doug-ducey-orders-public-schools-back-to-in-person-learning-by-march-15/75-92acb8f2-71f3-4c33-9037-4fa5a968f8d0|title=Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey orders public schools back to in-person learning by March 15|date=March 3, 2021|website=12news.com}}</ref> On March 5, after a decrease in cases and deaths, Ducey lifted specific capacity limits on businesses, and made it easier for baseball games to reopen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kold.com/2021/03/05/gov-ducey-announces-next-phase-covid-reopening/|title=Gov. Ducey announces next phase of COVID-19 reopening|first=KOLD News 13|last=Staff|website=www.kold.com|date=March 5, 2021 }}</ref> On March 25, he removed all restrictions, allowing bars and other businesses to operate at 100% capacity, and barred counties and cities from issuing mask mandates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tucson.com/news/local/gov-ducey-lifts-mask-mandates-reopens-bars-across-arizona/article_2af9cba5-a436-560c-8e38-0c3fac468dc2.html|title=Gov. Ducey lifts mask mandates, reopens bars across Arizona|first=Howard Fischer Capitol Media|last=ServicesFischer |website=Arizona Daily Star|date=March 26, 2021 }}</ref> Later in the year, Ducey challenged an Arizona school district that required unvaccinated students who had been exposed to COVID-19 to quarantine for 10 days.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Vaccine hesitancy morphs into hostility, as opposition to shots hardens|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/covid-vaccines-biden-trump/2021/07/15/adaf6c7e-e4bd-11eb-a41e-c8442c213fa8_story.html|access-date=July 15, 2021|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> He also said that schools that required mask wearing would be excluded from new education grants.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Paul LeBlanc and Andy Rose|title=Arizona governor to exclude school districts with mask mandates from new education grants|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/17/politics/arizona-school-funding-mask-mandate/index.html|access-date=August 18, 2021|website=CNN|date=August 18, 2021 }}</ref>

In the last weeks of his administration, Ducey ordered the construction of an impromptu [[Mexico–United States barrier#Arizona container wall|wall]] made of [[Shippingshipping container|shipping containers]]s in [[Cochise County, Arizona|Cochise County]] on the [[Mexico–United States border|Mexico–U.S. border]]. The wall was being built in contravention of federal law in the [[Coronado National Forest]], without the authorization of the [[United States Forest Service]], which owns the land.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-07 |title=A rogue barrier threatens wildlife on Arizona border |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/illegal-border-barrier-threatens-wildlife-arizona-mexico-border |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207175246/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/illegal-border-barrier-threatens-wildlife-arizona-mexico-border |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=Environment |language=en}}</ref> His successor [[Katie Hobbs]] has pledged to remove the wall.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bosque |first=Melissa del |title=Gov. Ducey’sDucey's Illegal Shipping Container Wall is Worse Than You Can Imagine |url=https://www.theborderchronicle.com/p/gov-duceys-illegal-shipping-container |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=www.theborderchronicle.com |language=en}}</ref> The sheriff of neighboring [[Santa Cruz County, Arizona|Santa Cruz County]] has advocated for federal agents to seize vehicles associated with the project to enforce federal law.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Devereaux |first=Ryan |last2= |first2= |date=10 December 2022 |title=Sheriff Calls on Feds to Seize Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’sDucey's Illegal Border Wall Equipment |url=https://theintercept.com/2022/12/10/border-wall-illegal-arizona-ducey-container/ |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=The Intercept |language=en}}</ref> On December 21, 2022, Ducey reached an agreement with the Biden administration to stop building and begin dismantling the border wall.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-22 |last= Lozano|first= Alicia Victoria|title= Arizona agrees to dismantle shipping container border wall|website=NBC News|url= https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/arizona-agrees-dismantle-shipping-container-border-wall-rcna62979 |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2015, Ducey's fifth month in office, a poll found his [[approval rating]] was just 27 percent statewide, which was likely due to the loss ofmixed support among Arizona Republicans.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-11 |last= Jensen |first= Tom |title= Arizona Miscellany |website=PublicPolicyPolling|url= https://www.publicpolicypolling.com/polls/arizona-miscellany/#more |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-18 |title= Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey receives poor approval rating early in gubernatorial term |website=KTAR News|url= https://ktar.com/story/446411/arizona-gov-doug-ducey-receives-poor-approval-rating-early-in-gubernatorial-term/ |language=en}}</ref> For most of his tenure as governor, Ducey maintained below-average or average approval ratings,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-31 |last=Dalbey |first=Beth |title=Here's How Arizona's Doug Ducey Ranks Among Country's Governors|website=[[Patch.com]] News|url=https://patch.com/arizona/across-az/here-s-how-arizona-s-doug-ducey-ranks-among-country-s-governors |language=en}}</ref> maintaining 40–50 percent approval on average.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-09 |last=Sarwari |first= Khalida|title= New survey shows 'systematic decline' in domestic approval for US leaders|website=Northeastern Global News|url= https://news.northeastern.edu/2020/07/09/new-survey-shows-systematic-decline-in-domestic-approval-for-u-s-leaders/ |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gubernatorial approval ratings (2015-2019) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Gubernatorial_approval_ratings_(2015-2019)#Q3_2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-31 |last=Dalbey |first=Beth |title=Here's How Arizona's Doug Ducey Ranks Among Country's Governors|website=[[Patch.com]] News|url=https://patch.com/arizona/across-az/here-s-how-arizona-s-doug-ducey-ranks-among-country-s-governors |language=en}}</ref>

| candidate = Doug Ducey (incumbent)