SIERRA VISTA HERALD: Thurs., Sept. 7, 2006
Builders want former ROC director for secretary of state
Local builder Mike Rutherford remembers once when he wanted a license for a project in California, but the bureaucrats told him he would have to wait 10 months. Rutherford turned to Israel Torres of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors and remembers how the ROC director used his cell phone from home, while taking care of his sick son, to solve the problem. Rutherford was on his site in 30 days.
Local builders are so impressed by Israel Torres' out-of-the-box thinking direction of the state Registrar of Contractors, when he was director, they want him to become the next secretary of state.
Torres made various stops across Cochise County on Wednesday and met with the Southern Arizona Contractors Association in the afternoon. He spoke of the friction that often exists between contractors and the ROC. But Torres always sought input from the rank and file and strived to make decisions a democratic process.
The local contractors agreed that Torres behaved this way. One of Torres' goals is to clean up lobbying rules, an area under the control of the secretary of state.
“The scrupulous lobbyists won't mind this at all,” he told about 20 SACA members and guests at the Pueblo del Sol Country Club. “The ones that are playing loose with the rules will receive a rude awakening.”
Torres said there needs to be a mechanism put in place to hold lobbyists accountable. He favors a lobbyist ethics commission. In two other areas governed by the secretary of state, Torres aims for ensuring elections are accurately counted and reducing identity-theft.
“We're the identity-theft capital of the country, and there needs to be leadership in that,” he said.
Neither Democrat Torres nor Republican incumbent Jan Brewer have primary opponents, so voters will choose the next secretary of state on Nov 7. In Arizona the secretary of state is second in line to the governor's chair. Other states have a lieutenant governor to step in if the governor is unable to fulfill his or her duties.
The contractors are comfortable with that. Torres has served in Gov. Janet Napolitano's cabinet for three years and actively supports and promotes her agenda.
A native of Silver City, N.M., Torres came from four generations of copper miners. His father died in a mining accident when he was very young, and he was the first from his family to go to college. He worked two jobs to put himself through law school.
Torres credits his mother for instilling “small town values” in him, a strong work ethic and love for family and community.
As a “pro-business Democrat,” Torres hopes to play a key role as the secretary of state during a historic moment. “Our state is in a booming time,” he said. “So it is a critical time for leadership.”