Biography

Throughout his career, Terry Goddard has fought to improve the lives of Arizonans -- a commitment he continues as the State's top law enforcement officer. Since first taking the oath as Attorney General in 2003, Terry has focused on protecting Arizona families:

• Working to reduce crime and taking action against illegal trafficking in drugs, arms, money and human beings.
• Leading the fight against methamphetamine and helping achieve a dramatic reduction in statewide meth use.
• Fighting cyber crime, especially identity theft and Internet crimes against children.
• Suing drug manufacturers and predatory lenders for illegal and unfair business practices.
• Pursuing consumer fraud lawsuits, which have returned millions of dollars to Arizona consumers and forced significant changes in business practices.
• Working to protect Arizona’s environment, gaining a record $12 million environmental damage settlement against a land developer.
• Going after car dealers and other companies that use deceptive advertising.
• Working to protect Arizona elders from fraud, exploitation and abuse

In June of this year, he received the prestigious Kelley-Wyman Award, the highest honor of the National Association of Attorneys General.

Terry's 30-year legal career began when he was hired by the Arizona Attorney General's Office as a white-collar crime prosecutor.

He was elected Mayor of Phoenix four times, leading the City from 1984 to 1990. During those years, Phoenix made significant strides in expanding and modernizing law enforcement and setting up nationally-recognized programs in economic development, the arts and historic preservation. He was elected President of the National League of Cities in 1989 and named “Municipal Leader of the Year” by City and County Magazine.

From 1995 to 2002, Terry served as Arizona Director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In 2000, he was elected to the board of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District, which manages the Central Arizona Project.

Terry is an Arizona native, born and raised in Tucson. His father, Sam Goddard, served as Arizona’s Governor in the 1960s. Terry received his law degree from Arizona State University. He served an active duty tour in the Navy and retired as a Commander after 27 years in the Naval Reserves. He and his wife Monica have a young son.