Paul Bentz
Vice President Accounts and Strategy
Paul Bentz has managed several high-profile Arizona campaigns including Mesa’s 2005 Riverview Project with 56% approval; the 2008 Paradise Valley Ritz-Carlton with 66.9%, and the 2009 Gaylord Resort with 84.2%. Mesa Riverview was the highest-priced local election in Arizona history; the opposition was a rival developer which invested millions in its campaign. Experience in candidate campaigns includes Governor Jan Brewer’s re-election for Secretary of State in 2006 and newcomer Mayor Scott Smith’s defeat of two incumbent councilmembers in 2008. Mr. Bentz was Campaign Manager for Governor Jan Brewer’s successful 2010 election bid.
Mr. Bentz got his start in politics working on the nationally recognized “Joe Arizona” campaign for gaming in 2002. Next, Mr. Bentz was coalition builder in 2004 for the Maricopa 2020 business coalition during its planning of MaricopaCounty’s $16B regional transportation plan. On that issue, Mr. Bentz worked with the campaign team to counter a million-dollar negative ad blitz funded by a wealthy transit foe during the last month of the campaign; Bentz & Co won with nearly 58%.
Mr. Bentz joined HighGround in 2002 after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Arizona. At UofA he studied Political Science and Mathematics and is a former Arizona Speech and Debate State Champion. He is active in his church, recently serving as congregation President.