THREAD: In honor of #MLKDay - I want to look at Arizona, a state with an infamous history regarding the day. Arizona establish MLK Day as a paid holiday in 1986, when retiring Dem Gov Bruce Babbit did so with an executive order. The problem: Evan Mecham then got elected

Mecham was a very conservative and controversial politician - who lost four other #AZGOV runs and was a favorite of the John Birch Society. He won the 86 primary thanks to his main opponent not taking his threat seriously (and not spending) and changing demographics

The state was seeing a huge influx of voters who were moving or retiring to Arizona. As such, they didn’t know much about Mecham’s past failed runs. Mecham won the primary but only won the general because the democrats split

Carolyn Warner, the State’s Superintendent of Education, was the democratic nominee. However, independent candidate Bill Schulz, who’s been the democratic nominee against Barry Goldwater in 1980, ran. He spent $11 million and wound up splitting the dem vote. Mecham won.

Mecham rescinded the MLK day designation. He also showed many racist views and ethical lapses. He was so controversial than the GOP-run legislature impeached and removed him from office for campaign finance violations.

The legislature and new Governor then worked to bring back MLK day, as the removal of the day caused bad press for the state. A bill passed to eliminate Columbus Day and put in MLK Day. But Mecham and his backers enacted their revenge - gathering petitions to force a vote

The legislature tried to get around the referendum by passing a new law, which merged Washington and Lincoln’s Birthdays into one day off and adding MLK Day. But petitions were gathered for that as well and judges ruled both bills would be on the ballot in 1990

Supporters of #MLKDay advocated for the Lincoln/Washington merger - but in the end both proposals failed. The Columbus Day elimination bill only passed passed in Native-American heavy Apache County.

The result of the failed referendums were boycott of the state and the loss of the 1993 Super Bowl. Colleges began to have recruitment issues and businesses refused to move to the state. The legislature again passed a bill merging Lincoln and Washington birthdays.

Petitions were gathered again. But this time the measure passed. The improved turnout of a Preaidential year and the economic effects all likely played a role. #MLKDay

With that, Arizona’s MLK drama was over. It’s the only state to approve and reject #MLKDay via popular referendum. You can read a more detailed timeline of these events here:

https://mcimaps.com/the-timeline-of-passage-of-martin-luther-king-jr-day/