Jim Pederson
Encyclopedia
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. In 2006, he ran for a seat
in the United States Senate
, losing to incumbent Jon Kyl
.
, the oldest of six brothers. Pederson's father, Ed Pederson, was the City Manager
of Casa Grande for 25 years, and his mother, Lillian Pederson, was a registered nurse who stayed home to raise her sons. After high school in Casa Grande, Pederson went to the University of Arizona
where he earned a bachelor's degree
in political science
and a master's in public administration.
After college, Pederson took a job with the Research and Budget Division for the city of Phoenix, and later worked as administrative assistant to Phoenix
Mayor Milt Graham. When Graham left office, Pederson entered the commercial-development business working for Grossman Company Properties and Westcor and eventually formed The Pederson Group with his brother Gary. The Pederson Group has since developed over 25 retail projects across Arizona.
Pederson has been married to Roberta Pederson for 33 years. They have 3 children and 2 grandchildren.
Some of the awards won by Jim Pederson, according to his Web site, are the Valley Big Brothers Leadership Award, the United Way Gold Award for Outstanding Service, and the City of Hope – Spirit of Life Award.
for Governor and former Phoenix mayor and gubernatorial candidate, Terry Goddard
, for Attorney General. Both won, and credit is often given to Pederson for his funding, fundraising ability, and his leadership in rebuilding the Democratic party infrastructure.
Pederson's work, however, did not carry the state for Democratic candidate John Kerry
in the 2004 U.S. presidential election, and none of the much-publicized campaigns by Democratic challengers in Arizona for the 2004 United States House of Representatives elections were successful in unseating Republican incumbents. Even though the party didn't fare well in the 2004 federal elections, the Democratic Party increased its ranks in the Arizona State House of Representatives and lost only one Arizona State Senate seat, an interesting fact given that George W. Bush
carried Arizona by more percentage points in 2004 then he did in the 2000 election.
On September 14, 2005, Pederson formally announced his intention to run, in his home town of Casa Grande, Arizona
. Pederson faced Jon Kyl
, an incumbent who ran for a third term in the Senate. Early head-to-head polls showed Kyl significantly ahead of Pederson. In addition, a poll released on September 19, 2006 by SurveyUSA indicated that Kyl was still in the lead, although by a narrower margin: Kyl led Pederson by 48% to 43% with 7% undecided.
The race was one of the most expensive in Arizona history. As of May 7, Kyl's campaign had raised over $9 million primarily from private donations and large fundraising dinners. Pederson's campaign raised over $5 million primarily through a dinner event with former U.S. President Bill Clinton
and a $2 million donation from Pederson himself.
In the general election on November 7, 2006, Pederson attained 44% of the popular vote (506,759 votes) compared to 53% of the vote for winner Jon Kyl.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman, co-founder of the commercial development firm The Pederson Group, and was the Chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party
Arizona Democratic Party
The Arizona Democratic Party is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in Arizona. Its headquarters is in Phoenix.-Party organization:The Arizona Democratic Party is organized into three parts, the state committee, the executive committee, and the executive board.-State Committee:The state committee...
from 2001 to 2005. In 2006, he ran for a seat
Arizona United States Senate election, 2006
The 2006 United States Senate election in Arizona was held on November 7, 2006. The primary elections were held on September 12. Incumbent Republican U.S...
in 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...
, losing to incumbent Jon Kyl
Jon Kyl
Jon Llewellyn Kyl is the junior U.S. Senator from Arizona and the Senate Minority Whip, the second-highest position in the Republican Senate leadership. In 2010 he was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world for his persuasive role in the Senate.The son...
.
Life and career
Pederson was born and raised in Casa Grande, ArizonaCasa Grande, Arizona
Casa Grande is a city in Pinal County, approximately halfway between Phoenix and Tucson in the U.S. state of Arizona. According to 2010 Census, the population of the city is 48,571...
, the oldest of six brothers. Pederson's father, Ed Pederson, was the City Manager
Council-manager government
The council–manager government form is one of two predominant forms of municipal government in the United States; the other common form of local government is the mayor-council government form, which characteristically occurs in large cities...
of Casa Grande for 25 years, and his mother, Lillian Pederson, was a registered nurse who stayed home to raise her sons. After high school in Casa Grande, Pederson went to the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
where he earned a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
and a master's in public administration.
After college, Pederson took a job with the Research and Budget Division for the city of Phoenix, and later worked as administrative assistant to Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
Mayor Milt Graham. When Graham left office, Pederson entered the commercial-development business working for Grossman Company Properties and Westcor and eventually formed The Pederson Group with his brother Gary. The Pederson Group has since developed over 25 retail projects across Arizona.
Pederson has been married to Roberta Pederson for 33 years. They have 3 children and 2 grandchildren.
Some of the awards won by Jim Pederson, according to his Web site, are the Valley Big Brothers Leadership Award, the United Way Gold Award for Outstanding Service, and the City of Hope – Spirit of Life Award.
Chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party
In 2001, Pederson was elected chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party, which was then in need of funds and new infrastructure. Pederson was able to bring both. He is credited with recruiting two top-notch candidates for statewide office 2002, then-Arizona Attorney General Janet NapolitanoJanet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano is the third and current United States Secretary of Homeland Security, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She is the fourth person to hold the position, which was created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the 21st...
for Governor and former Phoenix mayor and gubernatorial candidate, Terry Goddard
Terry Goddard
Samuel Pearson "Terry" Goddard III was the Attorney General of Arizona, from 2003 to 2011, who also served as Mayor of Phoenix, Arizona from 1984 to 1990....
, for Attorney General. Both won, and credit is often given to Pederson for his funding, fundraising ability, and his leadership in rebuilding the Democratic party infrastructure.
Pederson's work, however, did not carry the state for Democratic candidate John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
in the 2004 U.S. presidential election, and none of the much-publicized campaigns by Democratic challengers in Arizona for the 2004 United States House of Representatives elections were successful in unseating Republican incumbents. Even though the party didn't fare well in the 2004 federal elections, the Democratic Party increased its ranks in the Arizona State House of Representatives and lost only one Arizona State Senate seat, an interesting fact given that George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
carried Arizona by more percentage points in 2004 then he did in the 2000 election.
2006 United States Senate candidacy
Casa Grande, Arizona
Casa Grande is a city in Pinal County, approximately halfway between Phoenix and Tucson in the U.S. state of Arizona. According to 2010 Census, the population of the city is 48,571...
. Pederson faced Jon Kyl
Jon Kyl
Jon Llewellyn Kyl is the junior U.S. Senator from Arizona and the Senate Minority Whip, the second-highest position in the Republican Senate leadership. In 2010 he was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world for his persuasive role in the Senate.The son...
, an incumbent who ran for a third term in the Senate. Early head-to-head polls showed Kyl significantly ahead of Pederson. In addition, a poll released on September 19, 2006 by SurveyUSA indicated that Kyl was still in the lead, although by a narrower margin: Kyl led Pederson by 48% to 43% with 7% undecided.
The race was one of the most expensive in Arizona history. As of May 7, Kyl's campaign had raised over $9 million primarily from private donations and large fundraising dinners. Pederson's campaign raised over $5 million primarily through a dinner event with former U.S. President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and a $2 million donation from Pederson himself.
In the general election on November 7, 2006, Pederson attained 44% of the popular vote (506,759 votes) compared to 53% of the vote for winner Jon Kyl.