Basha, Eddie

Eddie Basha Jr. was born in Chandler, AZ in 1937. The great-grandson of Lebanese immigrants who arrived in 1884, Bashas' grandfather opened a general store in Ray, Arizona in 1910. From that store, Eddie's father and uncle started the Bashas' grocery chain which is still the only family owned supermarket chain in Arizona. Basha graduated from Stanford University. He took over as president of the company when his father died in 1968. In addition to his business experience, Basha was very interested in education issues and served as member and three-time President of the Chandler Unified School District from 1968 until 1980. In 1984, he was appointed to the State Board of Education by Governor Bruce Babbitt and confirmed by the Arizona State Senate. In 1990, Governor Rose Mofford appointed Basha to the Arizona Board of Regents. Basha ran for Governor against Republican incumbent Fife Symington in 1994. After his loss to Symington, Basha formed an Exploratory Committee to decide if he should run again in 1998. From the evidence compiled, he ultimately decided not to run against his good friend Jane Hull but to focus more on his family. Basha is married to Nadine Mathis-Basha and has six sons.

From the description of Eddie Basha Gubernatorial Campaign Collection, 1985-1998. (Scottsdale Public Library). WorldCat record id: 123915946

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