Evan Mecham ( MEE-kəm; May 12, 1924 – February 21, 2008) was an American businessman and the 17th governor of Arizona, serving from January 5, 1987, until his impeachment conviction on April 4, 1988. A decorated veteran of World War II, Mecham was a successful automotive dealership owner and occasional newspaper publisher.Periodic runs for political office earned him a reputation as a perennial candidate along with the nickname of "The Harold Stassen of Arizona" before he was elected governor, under the Republican banner. As governor, Mecham was plagued by controversy almost immediately after his inauguration and became the first U.S. governor to simultaneously face removal from office through impeachment, a scheduled recall election, and a felony indictment. He was the first Arizona governor to be impeached.
Mecham served one term as a state senator before beginning a string of unsuccessful runs for public office. His victory during the 1986 election began with a surprise win of the Republican nomination, followed by a split of the Democratic party during the general election, resulting in a three-way race. While Governor, Mecham became known for statements and actions that were widely perceived as racially charged or racist. Among these actions were the cancellation of the state's paid Martin Luther King Jr. Day and creating an unpaid King holiday on a Sunday, attributing high divorce rates to working women, and his defense of the word "pickaninny" in describing African American children. In reaction to these events, a boycott of Arizona was organized. A rift between the Governor and fellow Republicans in the Arizona Legislature developed after the Arizona Republic newspaper made accusations of questionable political appointments and cronyism, accusations that Mecham contended were false.
Having served from January 5, 1987, to April 4, 1988, Mecham was removed from office following conviction in his impeachment trial on charges of obstruction of justice and misuse of government funds—funds that Mecham maintained were private. A later criminal trial acquitted Mecham of related charges. Following his removal from office, Mecham remained active in politics for nearly a decade. During this time, he served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention and made his final runs for Arizona governorship and also for the U.S. Senate, in which he unsuccessfully challenged John McCain as an independent.
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Some of their strengths
Evan Mecham has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Perseverent, Intelligent, Trustworthy, Artistic, Optimistic, Extroverted, and Charming.
Strong and Diligent
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Evan Mecham is someone who is a strong, diligent, and trustworthy person who approaches life with honesty and perseverance, but who is also physical, sensual, and artistic. A person who is a bit of a "lone wolf".
Charming and Sophisticated
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Evan Mecham well know them as someone who can be classy, glamorous, and worldly, like jewelry.
Productive and Perseverent
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Evan Mecham as someone who is productive, persevering, deliberate, and direct.
A person who is creative, has good luck with work and money, good listening skills, good relationships with people at work, is a good teacher or counselor, and who is good at organizing groups, teams, or causes.
Perceptive and Visionary
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Evan Mecham is someone who has a natural awareness about what is going on in the surrounding environment and the world at large, and a refined vision of how to navigate it.
They are also someone who is patient, assertive, and who is a natural leader that likes to help others in need.
Patient and Compassionate
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Evan Mecham tends to be someone who approaches life with grace and compassion, and who has a powerful and commanding personality. Who can be analytical, patient, and deliberate, avoiding risks and seeking out stability instead.
Some of Evan Mecham's challenges
While Evan Mecham has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Evan Mecham can be Stubborn, Idle, Arrogant, Status-seeking, Hypocritical, Self-centered, and Possessive.
Stubborn and Idle
One of Evan Mecham's key challenges is that they are someone who can be seen as stubborn and, at times, lazy.
Evan Mecham must also exercise caution as they can have a hard time reconciling wants and needs.
Possessive and Stubborn
Evan Mecham is someone who can be possessive, jealous, inflexible, and stubborn, can have a habit of being a frivolous spender, and who can feel insecure or cynical in romantic relationships and have difficulty forming productive personal and professional partnerships.
Materialistic and Aggressive
Finally, Evan Mecham also can be materialistic, emotional, aggressive, stubborn, inconsistent, and be prone to big temper outbursts.
