Arizona's first governor focus of book by ASU professor emeritus

Arizona has never seen a governor quite like its first and longest serving – George W. P. Hunt. He is considered to be one the state's most successful politicians ever. Hunt helped turn a territory into a state and established a progressive agenda to protect workers and keep the power of big business in check. The Missiouri native ventured to Arizona in the late 1800s, settling in the mining town of Globe, where he worked his way to the top position at a mercantile store.

"He became very social and worked his way up to becoming quite an established businessman," Dave Berman told the Arizona Republic in a Q&A about his new book, "Arizona's Crusading Serve-Term Governor George Hunt."

Berman is a senior research fellow with the Morrison Institute for Public Policy in the College of Public Service and Community Solutions. He's also an emeritus professor of political science and one of the most knowledgeable experts about Arizona's early political history.

Berman's book on George Hunt provides readers more than a cursory look at the larger than life governor. It includes details drawn from letters, news accounts and government documents. The book includes insight about the issues Hunt championed, such as improving prison conditions and eliminating the death penalty.

In his Q&A with the Arizona Republic, Berman is asked what Hunt would think of modern-day Arizona.

"I think he would be impressed with the development, but he wouldn't be impressed with the politics," Berman said. "He'd be out there screaming, I think, about a lot of things that are going on."

Berman will talk about his new book on KAET's Arizona Horizon program at 5:30 p.m., April 9, and will sign copies of the book at Changing Hands Bookstore at 7 p.m., April 10 in Tempe, Arizona.