Innovative serial entrepreneur and political disruptor Hugh Lytle is announcing his Independent candidacy for Arizona Governor January 27th at 10am outside Sun Devil Stadium (at the plaza on Veterans Way between the Stadium and the ASU Activity Center).
Lytle was a quarterback for Arizona State University before a broken collar bone forced a change of plans. More than 40 years later, Hugh wants to change Arizona’s broken political system by bringing much needed change.
Lytle, Founder, CEO and Chairman of Equality Health, helped lower healthcare costs for hundreds of thousands of Arizonans on Medicaid as well as bridging cultural gaps which enabled Hispanic and other diverse communities to get the care they need and deserve.
As Arizona’s first independently-registered Governor, Lytle wants to bridge the partisan divide that has turned neighbors into enemies, government into gridlock, and common ground into confrontation.
“The two parties are trapped in a fight that never ends. They argue, posture, divide—but they don’t solve the big problems. Not education. Not the economy. Not the future our kids are walking into” said Lytle.
“I intend to be the first Independent governor in Arizona history and will take Arizona from ordinary to extraordinary. I am organizing a compelling campaign to do just that. Arizona’s history is rich in independent-minded pioneers and I am calling on them now to join me to solve our state’s problems. Let’s go!”
Lytle has created a disruptive independent playbook called the Hugh Revolution to take on some of the challenges facing young Arizonans. He calls this the “Great 8 for State 48.”
AI (Arizona Innovation) University
Create an AI-powered university degree, sponsored by the state, that is world-class and affordable with a cost of just $99 a semester, unburdening the horrific debt facing so many Arizona students.
Home Sweet Home
Restructure ESA’s to become more accountable and merit-based for those who truly need them. Excess funds will be redirected into housing vouchers for first-time homebuyers. This is revolutionary. This is necessary.
Quarterbacks for Youth Sports
Broaden tax deductions so youth sports become more affordable for every Arizona family, as they simultaneously learn life lessons of competition, cooperation, and teamwork.
Healthcare Matters
Federal Medicaid cuts are coming. Lytle may be one of the few people in the country who truly knows how to lower costs for a Medicaid population without losing access to quality care. As such, Arizona voters should ask themselves if they trust Katie Hobbs or Andy Biggs more than an innovative problem solver in serving to protect their health care.
Mentor Corps
Create a new Department of Entrepreneurship in the governor’s office, building the largest entrepreneurship mentor network in the nation to foster the next generation of Arizona entrepreneurs.
Champions of Charity
Expand state charity incentives so our nonprofits can do more and have more —whether they’re protecting abused women, reducing teen suicide, developing therapies to cure disease, or fighting for affordable housing. Government can’t do it all.
The HERO Program
Raise private investment and invest public funds to attract world-class teachers, police detectives, and first-responders to secure our future. We pay some college coaches millions a year – yet we struggle to recruit math and science teachers. This would change under a reimagined Arizona Commerce Authority that emphasizes centers of excellence in public service alongside economic development.
Escaping from Purgatory
Charter-Inspired Reform Framework—safer schools, stronger classrooms, higher achievement. Every public school should be able to operate with the clarity, authority, and accountability of a high-performing charter. Arizona’s public-school enrollment has dropped by over 83,000 students in a decade. This trend must be reversed, and control must be returned to the local district and classroom. Hugh will fight for reform that puts students first.
Lytle added, “I will be a Governor who recruits opportunity, unleashes individuals, builds pathways for every kind of dream, measures success by your real life—not political headlines—and breaks the grip of a system that no longer serves the people. This is not a campaign of left or right. It is a campaign about results, and to be as radical as we need to escape the mediocrity and toxicity of the current system. Arizona deserves a leader that puts people before party. They deserve a truly Independent voice with innovation as their guide to disrupt and problem solve for improved lives across our great state.”
Immediately following the launch of his campaign, Lytle will be traveling the state to share his vision in what he is calling the “Innovation Express.”
To learn more about Lytle’s trailblazing candidacy go to HughLytle.com which will debut at 10am Tuesday.