by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 8, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Barring a turn of events with additional ballots being tabulated from the November General Election, Maricopa County Republicans appear to be holding onto their positions for the upcoming term of office.
After Tuesday’s November General Election, a number of Maricopa County Republicans are likely returning and / or ascending to positions of leadership.
As of this report on Thursday night, Eddie Cook received 54.36% of the vote for re-election to County Assessor.
Rachel Mitchell acquired 55.01% of the vote to return as County Attorney.
Justin Heap won 52.56% of the vote to assume the position of County Recorder. Heap is currently a state representative.
In a statement, Heap said, “I look forward to immediately beginning the work of transitioning into the office, and working with the legislature to develop a common sense legislative agenda that will make our elections more effective, efficient, and most importantly, honest, while allowing us to deliver faster election results in the 2026 and 2028 elections.”
Shelli Boggs obtained 51.85% of the vote for County School Superintendent.
Jerry Sheridan received 53.78% of the vote for County Sheriff.
Sheridan posted a statement to his X account, writing, “The real work now lies ahead as we work with the community, the Board of Supervisors, and the amazing employees at MCSO to rebuild the Sheriff’s Office to better protect the people we are entrusted to serve. To those voters out there that didn’t support my campaign, I want you to know that I will work hard to earn your trust and support. I will keep the promises I made during this campaign, especially treating every person with dignity and respect, and protecting the civil rights of all Maricopa County residents.”
John Allen was unopposed for his reelection bid for County Treasurer.
As of Thursday’s report of ballot tabulation, Republicans would control the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors with a 4-1 split. Two races – both with a Republican leading – are within three percent or less.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Sep 7, 2024 | News
By Staff Reporter |
UPDATE: The Arizona GOP and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell issued a joint announcement on Friday clarifying that the bipartisan observation program used in this year’s primary will be in place for the general election. State Representative Alexander Kolodin walked back the statements reported criticizing Mitchell’s office.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has found herself embroiled in the hot-button issue of election integrity.
The attorney’s office declined to back a reform deal led by Republican State Representative Alexander Kolodin between Runbeck — the private election services company for Maricopa and other counties — and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
The deal, as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) secured earlier this year between the state legislature and Runbeck, would have implemented a bipartisan observation program and enhanced security, legislative audits of Runbeck software, published an election workflow document publicly, and provided access to historical 2022 election data.
Sources told the Arizona Daily Independent that Kolodin had asked Mitchell to “talk sense” to the supervisors. When the deal fell through, Kolodin criticized Mitchell’s office publicly.
Kolodin told “The Afternoon Addiction” radio host Garret Lewis on Thursday that, according to Runbeck, Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Thomas (Tom) Liddy pulled the county out of the MOU, and implied that the board hadn’t voted on the decision.
“Technically, the board of supervisors has to vote,” said Kolodin. If there’s one thing I understand very well is that when it comes to elections Tom Liddy tells the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors what to do.”
Then, Kolodin advised voters to abstain from voting for Mitchell and implied she was a Democrat rather than a Republican.
“If we’re going to have Democrats running that office we might as well have the ones with the ‘D’ next to their name,” said Kolodin.
Kolodin also claimed that the board declined to approve the MOU because voters had declined to reelect them, the ones who worked well with Liddy.
“This is a big way for Tom Liddy to tell everybody eff you for taking all of his allies and control over the county away,” said Kolodin.
Mitchell disputed Kolodin’s remarks. She said that the board had declined to change the terms of its contract with Runbeck to align with the MOU back in March, and that her office didn’t have the authority to decline contractual changes the way Kolodin effectively claimed it did.
Mitchell said MCAO’s authority only amounted to providing legal advice to the supervisors.
“Here are the facts: The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has a contract with Runbeck to print ballots and provide other services. Rep. Kolodin attempted to negotiate a separate contract with Runbeck that would change the terms of the contracts for both the Board of Supervisors and Runbeck. On March 11, 2024, the Board of Supervisors chose not to accept those changes after considering them. Rep. Kolodin has misrepresented the situation by claiming that it was the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) that rejected this change in terms. Quite the contrary: The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has NO authority to accept or reject the terms. MCAO only can advise the Board of Supervisors as to what the law allows the Board to do. Rep. Kolodin’s misinformation campaign is false, irresponsible, and incendiary.”
Mitchell’s statement didn’t sway some local party leaders. Maricopa County Republican Committee (MCRC) blamed Mitchell in a press release for the deal’s failure.
“The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (MCBOS), acting under the advice of Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell’s Office, just pulled the plug on [the] Election Integrity measures which Runbeck had previously agreed [to] in a Memorandum of Understanding,” stated MCRC.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Sep 3, 2024 | Education, News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona’s largest county is taking action to support vulnerable youth.
Earlier this month, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved $150,000 for students who are coming out of foster care. The government funding will go to HopeTech, which according to the release from the County, “is the first program of its kind in Arizona, combining housing and support services for foster youth with career training at a Career Technical Education District (CTED) campus.”
HopeTech has been constructed at East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT). It is a residence hall with 64 beds.
“Investing in our young people as they transition out of foster care is an investment in the future of our communities,” said Vice Chairman Thomas Galvin, who represents District 2 on the Board of Supervisors. “Workforce training provides them with important, economically viable skills, and the opportunity to build a stable, successful life.”
“The generous support from Maricopa County is more than a financial gift,” said EVIT Superintendent Dr. Chad Wilson. “It provides students with additional resources and support needed to step confidently into adulthood and onto a pathway towards independence and prosperity. We are deeply grateful for this investment into these students’ futures.”
Maricopa County’s release reveals that the county “will provide funding to EVIT for furniture and appliances, transportation items to allow greater ease of accessing the 65+ acre property and transporting youth to appointments and trainings, and recreational courts and equipment to provide youth with opportunities for physical activities.”
The communication from the County shares that “officials are hopeful that this program can serve as a model to be replicated in other CTEDs across the state and technical schools nationwide.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Apr 7, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
The Arizona House of Representatives has a new member.
On Wednesday, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors selected Deborah Nardozzi for the vacancy in the State House for Legislative District 8. Nardozzi was the second appointment in the district this year from the Board after two resignations.
“Arizona law requires us to appoint a person from the same political party as the person who previously vacated the office. We did so today,” said Vice Chairman Thomas Galvin. “I wish Deborah Nardozzi well in her endeavor to represent Legislative District 8 at the State Capitol.”
In a statement following her appointment from the Board, Nardozzi said, “It is an honor to be chosen as the next Representative for Arizona Legislative District 8, and I am committed to serving our community with integrity and an unwavering dedication to advocating for the needs of our constituents.”
Previously, Nardozzi served as the Democrats’ Chair for Legislative District 24, and she has been a small business owner for 15 years.
State Representative Lupe Contreras, the House Democratic Leader, added, “Deborah Nardozzi has been committed to the success of other Democratic candidates and issues for several years, in addition to her impressive small business career. Now we are thrilled to have her deep well of experience as part of our team for the remainder of the year, and for a very important part of our session. Our caucus is 29 strong as we head into budget negotiations that will impact the lives of everyone in our state.”
Representative Nardozzi was sworn into the Arizona House of Representatives on Thursday.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Corinne Murdock | Jan 13, 2024 | News
By Corinne Murdock |
Maricopa County is in search of a new sheriff after Sheriff Paul Penzone officially resigned this week.
Penzone’s resignation comes just months before the election of a successor. Chief Deputy Sheriff Russ Skinner will serve as interim sheriff until the county board of supervisors can appoint a replacement, who will be a Democrat. In a press release, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers thanked Penzone for his tenure.
“I would like to thank Sheriff Penzone for going above and beyond to keep Maricopa County residents safe,” said Sellers. “In particular, I appreciate his collaboration on security matters related to elections.”
The sheriff isn’t headed for retirement. Blue Cross Blue Shield has hired Penzone to oversee the insurer giant’s charity initiatives and community programs, which will include allocating funds to seed programs.
Penzone first took on the role of county sheriff in 2016, when he ousted longtime Sheriff Joe Arpaio — now Fountain Hills mayoral candidate — with the help of millions from progressive dark money financier George Soros. Penzone’s race was the largest cash flow in a local race put out by Soros that year.
That well-financed race was Penzone’s second attempt to unseat Arpaio after an initial, unsuccessful bid in 2012.
Penzone announced his intent to resign last October.
On his last day, Friday, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) posted a video featuring Penzone reciting former President Theodore Roosevelt’s monologue, “The Man in the Arena,” reflecting on his time as sheriff. Penzone didn’t attribute the monologue to Roosevelt.
“It is the men and women of MCSO who are in the arena,” said Penzone. “I hope that you express gratitude for them whenever you cross their paths, because their sacrifice and their work often goes unappreciated but it is the difference between living in a safe community or living in a space of fear.”
Penzone’s legacy included the establishment of identity-based community advisory boards, a K9 drug detection unit for jails, a motorcycle traffic enforcement fleet, deputy service aides for lower priority calls (like thefts, burglaries, and crashes), a tactical fugitive apprehension unit, two mental health services for MCSO staff, and the shutting down of Arpaio’s controversial Tent City jail program.
In place of that last program, Penzone established a substance abuse counseling program.
Maricopa County will accept applications for the sheriff’s position until January 19 at 5 pm.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
