Mofford Hopes to Be Healing Ariz. Governor

The secretary of state today met with four former governors and said she hoped to be a healing influence while serving as acting governor in place of the impeached Gov. Evan Mecham.

“I’d like be a healing governor, forceful governor and one that will act,” Rose Mofford said at a news conference. “I’m not afraid. I’m tired, that’s all.”

Mofford, a Democrat who under the state constitution is acting governor during the impeachment proceedings, said she hoped for a smooth transition.

Official Notice

Letters from House Chief Clerk Jane Richards today officially informed Mecham and Mofford of Friday’s 46-16 impeachment vote. Mecham spokesman Ken Smith said the governor was not in but might arrive later in the day.

Mofford had declined to declare herself acting governor until she received some type of official notification. Asked today whether she now considered herself acting governor, she said, “If that is the official document, I will accept it.”

She met this morning with four former Arizona governors--Democrats Sam Goddard and Raul Castro and Republicans Jack Williams and Paul Fannin--and said afterward that they had advised her to take an active role in running the state.

Several of the former governors emphasized that Mofford had not sought the governorship, but Fannin said, “She’s the governor now,” adding that he considered her well-qualified for the job.

No Staff Changes

Mofford said today she was not yet ready to announce any policy or staff changes. Her volunteer transition staff had said over the weekend that some Mecham appointees could be placed on paid leave and new officials named.

Meanwhile, the five-member House Impeachment Board of Managers approved a bill of particulars outlining 23 specific charges against Mecham for his Senate trial. The full House planned to vote on the articles later today and send them to the Senate so it can begin organizing as an impeachment court.

Mecham’s Senate trial on the impeachment articles is expected to begin Feb. 22. The Senate will approve rules and organize itself into an impeachment court Thursday, said Majority Leader Bob Usdane.

The articles of impeachment were drawn up by House attorneys over the weekend.

On Sunday, Mofford met with advisers to plan taking over the state government.