Founder Richard C. McCormick had originally been the owner of the
Arizonan. However, when the editor of the
Arizonan refused to support McCormick's re-election as congressional delegate for the territory of Arizona, McCormick took the press and started the
Arizona Citizen with Wasson. Johnson sold his share to Small in 1964, and Small turned control over to his son,
William A. Small Jr. in 1966 when he retired. In 1976, the
Citizen was sold to
Gannett Company, Inc. though on March 17, 2009, Gannett announced the paper would remain open past that closing date because it was in negotiations with two potential buyers. The last print edition was delivered on May 16, 2009. Gannett's attempted sale and closure of the
Citizen was the subject of an investigation by the U.S. Justice Department and court action by Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard. == Online publication ==