Stuart Starky

Stuart Marc "Stu" Starky (born March 13, 1957) is a 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 math 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" [ [http://www.azcentral.com/news/specials/mccain/articles/0301mccainbio-chapter12.html The 'maverick' goes establishment ] ] , 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.

Starky is married and has two children and currently lives in Phoenix.

Electoral history

Arizona's 4th congressional district, 1996 (Democratic primary) [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=253330 Our Campaigns - AZ District 4 - D Primary Race - Sep 10, 1996 ] ] :
* 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) [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=253247 Our Campaigns - AZ District 03- D Primary Race - Sep 08, 1998 ] ]
* Stuart Starky - 16,580 (100.00%)

Arizona's 3rd congressional district, 1998 [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3738 Our Campaigns - AZ District 3 Race - Nov 06, 1998 ] ] :
* Bob Stump (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) [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=272371 Our Campaigns - AZ State Senate 11 - D Primary Race - Sep 10, 2002 ] ]
* Stuart Starky - 5,638 (100.00%)

Arizona Senate 11th district, 2002 [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=6673 Our Campaigns - AZ State Senate 11 Race - Nov 05, 2002 ] ]
* Barbara Leff (R) - 35,403 (64.27%)
* Stuart Starky (D) - 19,683 (35.73%)

"'Arizona United States Senate election, 2004 (Democratic primary) [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=271715 Our Campaigns - AZ US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 07, 2004 ] ]
* Stuart Starky - 173,540 (100.00%)

Arizona United States Senate election, 2004 [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3790 Our Campaigns - AZ US Senate Race - Nov 02, 2004 ] ] :
* John McCain (R) (inc.) - 1,505,372 (76.74%)
* Stuart Starky (D) - 404,507 (20.62%)
* Ernest Hanock (Libertarian) - 51,798 (2.64%)

References

* [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=4828 OurCampaign profile (whit photo)]