Paul D. Boyer | |
---|---|
Member of the
Arizona Senate from the 20th district | |
In office January 14, 2019 – January 9, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Kimberly Yee |
Succeeded by | Sally Ann Gonzales |
Member of the
Arizona House of Representatives from the 20th [1] district | |
In office January 14, 2013 – January 14, 2019 Serving with
Anthony Kern | |
Succeeded by | Shawnna Bolick |
Personal details | |
Nationality | American |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Beth |
Residence | Phoenix, Arizona |
Alma mater | Arizona State University West |
Website |
boyeraz |
Paul D. Boyer [2] is an American politician and a former Republican member of the Arizona State Senate representing District 20 from 2019 to 2023. He previously served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2013 to 2019, including serving as the Chair of the Arizona House Education Committee. [3]
Born to Fred and Sharon and a native of Arizona's West Valley, Boyer attended Deer Valley High School. [4]
Boyer earned his bachelor's degree in English and his MA in communication studies from Arizona State University West. He previously taught at North Phoenix Preparatory Academy and Veritas Preparatory Academy. [5] Both are part of the Great Hearts Academies. [6]
Previously, Boyer served as an official spokesman and policy advisor for House Majority at the State Capitol, the legislative liaison for the Arizona Department of Corrections, and a spokesman for Mesa Public Schools. [1]
In April 2021, Boyer voted to purge approximately 200,000 individuals from Arizona voter rolls because they had not voted in two consecutive election cycles. [7] He had previously joined the Democrats in February 2021 in the Arizona Senate in blocking Michelle Ugenti-Rita's Senate Bill to purge the voter rolls. [8]
In February 2021, Boyer was the only Republican that joined the Democratic caucus in the Arizona Senate to vote against holding the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in contempt for not following a subpoena of the senate. The Senate had subpoenaed access to all voting machines and copies of all mail ballots in Maricopa County in a pursuit to prove allegations of widespread irregularities in the 2020 presidential elections. The Board of Supervisors believes that subpoena to be unlawful. [9]
Boyer supported an audit into Arizona's election results in the 2020 presidential election, although two previous audits that were partial recounts did not find any fraud. After an audit was initiated, Boyer said that he was embarrassed by the audit and that "It makes us look like idiots." He went on and said “Looking back, I didn’t think it would be this ridiculous. It’s embarrassing to be a state senator at this point.” [10]
In response to Boyer's criticisms of the audit, Trump called him a "RINO" and "nothing but trouble", and endorsed former Arizona State Representative Anthony Kern, who has announced plans to challenge Boyer in the Republican primary in 2022. [11] In November 2021, Boyer announced he would retire at the end of his term rather than seeking re-election. [12]
Boyer supports measures to limit gun control. In 2016, he introduced legislation to prevent the use of smart gun technology in Arizona. This technology adds additional safety measures that must be met in order for the gun to fire, such as fingerprint recognition or requiring the shooter to wear a special ring. [13] He received an "A" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund. [14] [15]
Year | Office | District | Republican | Democrat | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | Arizona Senate | District 20 | Paul Boyer | 35,170 | Douglas Ervin | 32,352 |
2016 | Arizona House of Representatives | District 20 | Paul Boyer | 39,780 | Chris Gilfillan | 35,117 |
2014 | Arizona House of Representatives | District 20 | Paul Boyer | 25,610 | Amy Schwabenlender | 19,779 |
2012 | Arizona House of Representatives | District 20 | Paul Boyer | 37,143 | Jackie Thrasher | 30,342 |