Stuart Starky
Encyclopedia
Stuart Marc "Stu" Starky (born March 13, 1957) is a perennial United States
politician
from Arizona
, who ran unsuccessfully as a Democratic nominee for the State Senate
, United States House of Representatives
and United States Senate
.
He was born and raised in New York City
. Before he moved to Arizona, he had a successful career in sales and marketing. Starky is s graduate of Philadelphia University
(accounting) and has a Masters in Education from the University of Phoenix
and a second Masters Degree from Grand Canyon University in Administration.
In Arizona he became a teacher
and currently teaches 8th grade social studies at C.O. Greenfield School for The Roosevelt School District Located in Phoenix.
His political career began in 1996, when he sought Democratic nomination for Arizona's 4th congressional district
as a write-in, winning only 0.40% in primary. Two years later, however, he was nominated by Democrats for 4th district
, losing soundly to the Republican
incumbent
Bob Stump
. He also unsuccessfully sought a seat in state Senate, winning primary again, but losing general election. In 2005, he considered running for Arizona Democratic State Party Chairman, but at the last minute, decided not to, allowing Jim Pederson
to win. Since then, his name has come up a few times to run for chair, but he has decided against the possibility.
He is, perhaps, best known as Democratic nominee for the United States Senate
in 2004 against longtime Republican incumbent John McCain
. According to many Starky was never considered a threat to McCain, who is one of the best known and powerful United States Senators. Starky was even called by The Arizona Republic
a sacrificial lamb, put on ballot because there were no chances to beat McCain. During his campaign, he debated McCain twice, once in Tucson and once in Flagstaff. He was also featured on the cover of Teacher Magazine, dubbed the "Unsinkable Stu Starky."
Starky was defeated in landslide
, winning only 20.62% against McCain's 76.74%. But, despite the relatively low percentage, he gained the highest vote per dollar amount in the country, spending only about $15,000 for his campaign.
In 2006, Starky endorsed Mike Caccioppoli
for Caccioppoli's unsuccessful run for US Congress in Arizona's first Congressional District.
Starky is married and has two children and currently lives in Phoenix.
In 2010 Starky founded the Phoenix Monsoon
indoor soccer team. The Monsoon will play in the PASL-Pro starting in 2011-12 season.
Arizona's 3rd congressional district, 1998 (Democratic primary)
Arizona's 3rd congressional district, 1998:
Arizona Senate 11th district, 2002 (Democratic primary)
Arizona Senate 11th district, 2002
United States Senate election in Arizona, 2004
(Democratic primary)
Arizona United States Senate election, 2004:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, who ran unsuccessfully as a Democratic nominee for the State Senate
Arizona Senate
The Arizona Senate is part of the Arizona Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. The Senate consists of 30 members representing an equal amount of constituencies across the state, with each district having average populations of 219,859 . Members serve two-year terms with...
, United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
He was born and raised in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Before he moved to Arizona, he had a successful career in sales and marketing. Starky is s graduate of Philadelphia University
Philadelphia University
Philadelphia University, founded in 1884, is a private university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Philadelphia University's student body consists of about 3,500 individuals from all 50 states and over 50 countries...
(accounting) and has a Masters in Education from the University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix is a for-profit institution of higher learning. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo Group Inc. which is publicly traded , an S&P 500 corporation based in Phoenix, Arizona...
and a second Masters Degree from Grand Canyon University in Administration.
In Arizona he became a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
and currently teaches 8th grade social studies at C.O. Greenfield School for The Roosevelt School District Located in Phoenix.
His political career began in 1996, when he sought Democratic nomination for Arizona's 4th congressional district
Arizona's 4th congressional district
Arizona's 4th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of Arizona and contains the southern portion of the city of Phoenix and some of its suburbs, including part of Glendale....
as a write-in, winning only 0.40% in primary. Two years later, however, he was nominated by Democrats for 4th district
Arizona's 3rd congressional district
Arizona's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of Arizona and contains most of the northern portion of the city of Phoenix as well as some of its northern suburbs...
, losing soundly to the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
Bob Stump
Bob Stump
Robert Lee "Bob" Stump was a U.S. Congressman from Arizona.-Early life and career:Stump was born in Phoenix, and was a U.S. Navy World War II combat veteran, where he served on the USS Tulagi from 1943 to 1946. He graduated from Tolleson High School in 1947, and Arizona State University in 1951...
. He also unsuccessfully sought a seat in state Senate, winning primary again, but losing general election. In 2005, he considered running for Arizona Democratic State Party Chairman, but at the last minute, decided not to, allowing Jim Pederson
Jim Pederson
James "Jim" Pederson , is an American businessman, co-founder of the commercial development firm The Pederson Group, and was the Chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party from 2001 to 2005...
to win. Since then, his name has come up a few times to run for chair, but he has decided against the possibility.
He is, perhaps, best known as Democratic nominee for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in 2004 against longtime Republican incumbent John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
. According to many Starky was never considered a threat to McCain, who is one of the best known and powerful United States Senators. Starky was even called by The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic is a daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. It was ranked tenth in US daily newspapers by circulation in 2007.-Early years:The newspaper was founded...
a sacrificial lamb, put on ballot because there were no chances to beat McCain. During his campaign, he debated McCain twice, once in Tucson and once in Flagstaff. He was also featured on the cover of Teacher Magazine, dubbed the "Unsinkable Stu Starky."
Starky was defeated in landslide
Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
, winning only 20.62% against McCain's 76.74%. But, despite the relatively low percentage, he gained the highest vote per dollar amount in the country, spending only about $15,000 for his campaign.
In 2006, Starky endorsed Mike Caccioppoli
Michael Caccioppoli, Jr.
Michael Louis Caccioppoli, Jr. is an American politician. During the 2006 Election, he ran as a Democratic candidate for the United States House of Representatives seat currently held by Rick Renzi since 2003, representing the 1st District of Arizona...
for Caccioppoli's unsuccessful run for US Congress in Arizona's first Congressional District.
Starky is married and has two children and currently lives in Phoenix.
In 2010 Starky founded the Phoenix Monsoon
Phoenix Monsoon (Soccer Team)
Phoenix Monsoon is an Outdoor/Indoor Professional Soccer team based in Phoenix Arizona. They will play indoors in 2011-2012 and plan to play outdoors in 2012.- History :...
indoor soccer team. The Monsoon will play in the PASL-Pro starting in 2011-12 season.
2010 Election
Stuart Starky announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination as US Senator from Arizona in January 2009. He filed his Federal Papers and launched a campaign website. http://www.starkyforsenate.com In June 2009, Starky decided to pursue other opportunities and ended his race for US Senate.Electoral history
Arizona's 4th congressional district, 1996 (Democratic primary):- Maria Elena Milton - 8,279 (53.81%)
- Stuart M. Turnansky - 7,047 (45.80%)
- Stuart Starky - 61 (0.40%)
Arizona's 3rd congressional district, 1998 (Democratic primary)
- Stuart Starky - 16,580 (100.00%)
Arizona's 3rd congressional district, 1998:
- Bob StumpBob StumpRobert Lee "Bob" Stump was a U.S. Congressman from Arizona.-Early life and career:Stump was born in Phoenix, and was a U.S. Navy World War II combat veteran, where he served on the USS Tulagi from 1943 to 1946. He graduated from Tolleson High School in 1947, and Arizona State University in 1951...
(R) (inc.) - 137,618 (67.25%) - Stuart Starky (D) - 66,979 (32.73%)
- Ben Janowski (D, write-in) - 26 (0.01%)
Arizona Senate 11th district, 2002 (Democratic primary)
- Stuart Starky - 5,638 (100.00%)
Arizona Senate 11th district, 2002
- Barbara Leff (R) - 35,403 (64.27%)
- Stuart Starky (D) - 19,683 (35.73%)
United States Senate election in Arizona, 2004
United States Senate election in Arizona, 2004
The 2004 United States Senate election in Arizona took place on November 2, 2004 alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S...
(Democratic primary)
- Stuart Starky - 173,540 (100.00%)
Arizona United States Senate election, 2004:
- John McCainJohn McCainJohn Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
(R) (inc.) - 1,505,372 (76.74%) - Stuart Starky (D) - 404,507 (20.62%)
- Ernest Hanock (Libertarian) - 51,798 (2.64%)