Associated Press
Posted: 11/3/06 3:48pm
Former state House Speaker Jeff Groscost, a prominent conservative lawmaker who lost an election after being blamed for the state's costly alternative fuel vehicles subsidy fiasco, died Friday, authorities said. He was 45.
Banner Baywood Medical Center spokeswoman Coiya Lynne confirmed that Groscost had died. "I know it was cardiac related," she said.
A Mesa Police Department spokesman said Groscost did not respond to life-saving techniques administered by paramedics who were called to Groscost's home and that Groscost was pronounced dead at the hospital. "It appears at this point he passed away due to natural causes," said Sgt. Chuck Trapani.
Rep. Mark Anderson, a former legislative colleague, said Groscost had gallbladder surgery in late October that detected heart-related problems and that Groscost later told him he felt tired.
Groscost, barred by term limits from running for re-election to his House seat, lost a 2000 election for a Senate seat normally safe for Republicans after being blamed for the alt-fuels scandal that broke months earlier.
Even after leaving office, Groscost remained active in politics behind the scenes. When he died, he was Republican Party chairman for Legislative District 18 in Mesa.
Statement from the Groscost family:
Mr. Jeff Groscost, former Speaker of the Arizona House and father of six children, died at home today of heart failure. He was 45.
Groscost was a larger-than-life personality with a commanding sense of leadership and sharp sense of humor. Beyond his public persona, Groscost was a man deeply committed to his faith and to his family.
"While Jeff was dedicated to serving the people of Arizona, nothing stood between Jeff and his family. No official duties, including multi-billion dollar budget negotiations, were more important to him than his children and their activities," said Dana Groscost, his wife of 22 years. "Jeff always made time for swim meets, soccer practice, or class elections. He always put his family first."
Groscost served as Speaker of the House for more than two years, starting in 1997, and was first elected to the Legislature in 1993 for the East Valley's Legislative District 30. His proudest legislative accomplishments included the passage of parental consent legislation, the promotion of school choice through the creation of charter schools and tax credits, and historic reductions in the overall tax burdens of all Arizonans.
Groscost is survived by his wife and six children, ages 2 to 19.
The Groscost family is deeply grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support from Jeff's colleagues, friends and neighbors. They ask that members of the media respect their privacy as they mourn the loss of a wonderful father, loving husband and committed public servant.
A college scholarship fund will be established at Chase Bank for Jeff's six children. The family requests donations to the fund in lieu of flowers.
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