Paul Babbitt

Paul Babbitt was raised in Flagstaff, Ariz., where his family has lived since the 1880s. He attended the University of Seattle. From 1963 to 1965, Babbitt served as an artillery officer in the Army, tracking Russian missile installations. After leaving the military, Babbitt worked in the family business, which included general mercantile stores, trading posts and cattle ranches. Babbitt has been a Coconino County supervisor since 1986 and was previously a Flagstaff mayor and councilman. He also worked as a civilian aide to the secretary of the Army, a position where he served as a liaison between the military and Arizona's civilian communities. The Babbitt family has played a prominent role in Arizona and national politics. Babbitt's brother Bruce served as Arizona's Attorney General and Governor and is the former U.S. Interior Secretary. Two of Babbitt's uncles served in the Arizona Senate, one of whom was a Senate president. Babbitt is married with two children.