A U.S. Marine prone to quoting Ronald Reagan and who once said “brass is cool” has now officially earned more votes than any other candidate for his office in Arizona history, as he easily won election to the Grand Canyon State’s Office of Mine Inspector.
Even as Republicans are still struggling in Arizona’s interminable, and outrageously flawed — some might say corrupt — vote counting, GOP State Mine Inspector Paul Marsh won his election with more than 1,400,000 votes.
It turns out that his vote total amounts to more votes than any other candidate has ever received.
GOP State Mine Inspector candidate @paulmarshforaz has received the highest number of votes for any candidate in Arizona history. 1.3 million.
People say it’s because he ran unopposed.
I say it’s because he now owns a bolo tie. https://t.co/DwomR2tNgN
— The AZ – abc15 – Data Guru (@Garrett_Archer) November 11, 2022
There can be no doubt that Marsh is excited about the metals, ores, and gems that are mined in his western land. Last week he was thrilled to report that a rare stone was unearthed in Arizona, and he also noted in another Tweet that “brass is cool.”
Another rare stone in AZ is Arizona Pietersite. Only found in a very remote area in the AZ desert. Also called Arizona Tiger-eye, this gemstone is actually Serpentine, & when polished it has a chatoyant flash of internal light, from gold to root beer to silver colored. pic.twitter.com/w3ZVcBi4QC
— Paul D Marsh (@paulmarshforaz) November 7, 2022
Did you know that BRASS is an alloy of COPPER & ZINC? Used in applications such as locks, hinges, gears, bearings, ammunition casings, zippers, plumbing, hose couplings, valves, electrical plugs, & it is used extensively for musical instruments & for jewelry. Brass is cool! pic.twitter.com/uHoIJRi1nj
— Paul D Marsh (@paulmarshforaz) November 10, 2022
The state’s mine chief is also quick to quote Republican hero Ronald Reagan.
On the Marine Corps’ Nov. 10 anniversary, he quoted Reagan’s famous compliment to the Corps, and a few days before that he plied Reagan’s warning that “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction,” on Election Day.
Good Morning, Happy Thursday, and Happy 247th Birthday to my fellow Marine Corps brethren.
Quote of the Day:
“Some people wonder all their lives if they’ve made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.”
—Ronald Reagan
— Paul D Marsh (@paulmarshforaz) November 10, 2022
Quote of the Day:
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
—Ronald Reagan
Get out and VOTE today!
— Paul D Marsh (@paulmarshforaz) November 8, 2022
First appointed by Gov. Doug Ducey to finish the previous inspector’s unfinished term in 2021, Marsh will now continue his work to make sure Arizona’s mining laws are followed and mine work is safe and profitable after winning his election in his own right.
Of course, Marsh was so much the obvious candidate that the Democrats didn’t even bother running anyone against him!
But his win was an important part of the effort to turn Arizona red. Even as the state’s other top posts seem destined to go blue, Marsh was part of at least a few success stories in Arizona, along with a House seat that the GOP flipped red.
While all the votes are not yet counted, it appears likely that Arizona will now be sending five Republicans and four Democrats to the House, whereas the last election saw the party count switched, after Republican Eli Crane took the 2nd District seat away from the Democrats this year.
FLIP ALERT: Navy Seal Veteran — Eli Crane (R) defeats Tom O’Halleran (D-inc) in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District
⦿ This seat is flipped from 🔵➡️🔴 pic.twitter.com/UjMVdoK6yR
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) November 9, 2022
Crane’s campaign website describes the former Navy SEAL as “a combat veteran, small-business owner, husband, father and native Arizonan.”
Crane’s win put the Republicans one step closer to taking the majority in the House in Washington and Marsh’s win was an important effort to keep at least some Republicans in the state’s top offices. And if one of the other GOP candidates can squeak out a win as Arizona counts, and counts, and counts, that will just be gravy.
But even as Arizona’s election chaos is making the state look foolish and eroding America’s faith in our democratic process, to boot, State Mine Inspector Paul Marsh was one bright exception. Congratulations, Mr. Marsh.
