Timothy S. Bee (born June 20, 1969) is a Republican politician and business owner who served in the Arizona State Senate from 2001 through 2008.
[5] The Arizona Education Association, the Sierra Club, and the League of Conservation Voters gave him less than favorable ratings.
Arizona voters voted against a similar measure in 2006 and the proposed initiative was the source of considerable controversy, resulting in a dramatic last minute clash between legislators at the close of the 2008 session.
Ultimately, as the President of the Senate, Bee cast the decisive vote in favor of putting the amendment on the Arizona ballot in 2008.
[8] On January 19, 2008, Bee launched his campaign to challenge first-term incumbent Democrat Gabby Giffords for Congress in Arizona's 8th congressional district.
"In 2008, Giffords will face state Senate President Tim Bee (R), whose candidacy represents a slice of sunshine in an otherwise gloomy election cycle for national Republicans... the 8th District should feature one of the most competitive races for the House in the country.
"[10] Roll Call newspaper said that Bee's candidacy "erases some key advantages the freshman incumbent carried into her successful 2006 Congressional campaign.
Bee's campaign was co-chaired by Tucson businessman Jim Click and Sandra Froman, the immediate past President of the National Rifle Association of America.
Bee left the Governor's office to take a position as the Senior Director for State Relations at the University of Arizona.