close
close

votetostopthecuts

latest hiits news

htnews

Voters choose sheriff, supervisor and more

By Hudson Brooklyn
Voters choose sheriff, supervisor and more

play

This year's election cycle is likely to be crucial for Pinal County governments.

The county is one of the fastest-growing in the state and faces increasing questions about its future ahead of a key election. Located between Phoenix and Tucson, it is often forgotten in favor of its larger neighbors. But while its population is booming, the county is in a time of change.

Once bright blue, it transformed into a conservative stronghold about a decade ago, with only a handful of Democrats running each election cycle. The edges are quickly becoming densely populated suburbs, home to residents seeking affordable housing and a reasonable commute to the state's largest cities.

Pinal County Board of Supervisors

The Pinal County Board of Supervisors is comprised of five elected supervisors who manage a $1.1 billion budget in one of the fastest-growing counties in Arizona.

The supervisors, elected from districts covering various areas of the county, appoint a county manager to serve as Pinal County's top administrator. While the county manager handles the day-to-day operations of most departments, the board is responsible for overseeing their work and managing the county's checkbook.

Most of the action in the race for Supervisor took place in the primary election. Only District 1 will have a runoff election.

Here's who's running:

  • Rich Vitiello, District 1: Vitiello is a former member of the Maricopa City Council. He was appointed deputy mayor in December but resigned on April 1 to run for county supervisor. Originally from New York, he has lived in Arizona for nearly 20 years. Vitiello, a Republican, defeated Ron Weber in the Republican primary.
  • George Arredondo Sr., District 1: A former member of the Coolidge City Council, Arredondo has had an extensive career. He worked as a rancher before taking a job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He later worked as an IT specialist for the U.S. Navy and was deployed to the Middle East on three combat tours. He is running as a Democrat.
  • Mike Goodman, District 2: Goodman was first elected to the board in 2016. He is a former independent insurance broker, farmer and small business owner who lives in the San Tan Valley area. He is a native Arizonan and has lived in Pinal County for about 15 years. He is running as a Republican and won the primary unopposed.
  • Steve Miller, District 3: He was elected to the board in 2012. Miller is a native Arizonan and has lived in the area for more than 45 years. He previously served on the Casa Grande City Council for more than a decade. He worked in lumber and truss manufacturing and as a licensed contractor. He is running as a Republican and defeated Luke Myers in the Republican primary.
  • Jeff McClure, District 4: He has been a member of the board since 2020. A small business owner, he served on the Oracle School District Board of Directors for eight years before being appointed supervisor. He lived in Southern California and Seattle before moving to Saddlebrooke. McClure is running as a Republican and defeated Pete Sabin in the Republican primary.
  • Jeff Serdy, District 5: He was elected to the board in 2020. Serdy is an Ohio native who previously served on the Apache Junction City Council. He later became the city's mayor. Serdy also owns a local gun shop. He is running as a Republican. Serdy defeated Todd House and Rhonda Mattachione in the Republican primary.

Pinal County Supervisors Coverage:

Pinal County Recorder

The county clerk maintains public records, including property documents and government information.

The clerk is also responsible for maintaining voter registration records and conducting early voting, including mailing ballots, providing on-site early voting locations, and verifying voter signatures on affidavits and early voting applications.

The election official has enormous influence on how elections are conducted within the county, and politicians who have previously held this office have pushed for massive changes in their county's voting system.

Pinal County Clerk Dana Lewis is running unopposed.

Reporting on the record races:

Pinal County Assessor

The appraiser is responsible for identifying, mapping and evaluating all properties in his district.

It's a job that's little known but crucial. The assessor determines the value of properties, which in turn determines how much a property owner will pay in taxes, and works with other county offices to keep records and provide assessment information.

Incumbent Douglas Wolf defeated “Storm” Cox in the Republican primary in December. He faces no opponent in November.

Wolf is a Republican and has been a county assessor since 2012. He was previously a real estate agent in California. He was born in Minnesota and now lives in San Tan Valley.

Coverage of the races for the county assessor positions:

Treasurer of Pinal County

The treasurer serves as the county's tax collector and manages the county's funds.

They are responsible for disbursing funds from the county treasury and pursuing individuals who have not paid their county taxes. They receive all county revenues, manage credit accounts, and invest county funds under the direction of the county supervisor.

They also serve as treasurers for all schools and special districts in their district.

Incumbent Treasurer Michael McCord will remain in office. He faced no opposition in the Republican primary and will face no opposition in November. He has been the county treasurer since 2016. McCord previously worked as a middle school teacher at a charter school in Apache Junction. He eventually became the school's executive director. He lives in San Tan Valley.

Attorney in Pinal County

The District Attorney serves as the lead prosecutor for the Pinal County District Attorney's Office.

The office investigates and determines charges for crimes committed in the county as well as misdemeanors committed in unincorporated areas. The office also provides legal counsel to the Board of Supervisors and county departments and agencies.

Brad Miller, a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor in the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, will be the next Pinal County Attorney.

He faces no opposition in November after defeating incumbent Republican Kent Volkmer in the Republican primary. Volkmer has served as district attorney since 2017.

Miller also previously served in the US Marine Corps. He lives near Florence.

In his words: We asked Miller about abortion, the death penalty, fentanyl and more. Here's what he had to say.

Sheriff of Pinal County

The mission of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office is to patrol the unincorporated areas of the county and communities without their own police forces.

In addition, the agency executes Supreme Court orders and warrants, collects back taxes, coordinates search and rescue operations, and oversees the county's jails.

Here's who's running:

  • Ross Teeple, Republican: Teeple is a lieutenant with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He previously worked as a construction electrician and correctional officer. Originally from Tucson, Teeple has lived in Pinal County for more than two decades. He lives near Florence and defeated Kevin Cavanaugh and Charles Austin Jr. in the Republican primary.
  • Patrick Melvin, Democrat: Melvin most recently served as a deputy police chief with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. He was the first police chief of the City of Maricopa after its incorporation and then served as police chief of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. He also previously worked for the Phoenix Police Department and served in the U.S. Army.

In her words: We asked the candidates about their priorities and leadership style. Here is their answer.

Pinal County School Superintendent

The county superintendent of schools provides services in support of school board elections, bond and desegregation elections, and manages school board appointments, oversees school finances, and maintains records for home and private schools.

The superintendent also appoints new members to fill vacancies on the school board. This allows the incumbent to have a great deal of influence over the makeup of school boards throughout the county.

Republican Jill Broussard faces no opposition in November after defeating Tara Walter in the Republican primary.

Broussard has been the Pinal County Schools Superintendent since 2011. Before that, she worked as a teacher. Broussard is also a youth sports coach and Sunday school teacher.

Justice of the Peace

Justices of the peace preside over limited jurisdiction courts and hear cases such as small claims, evictions, protective orders, criminal offenses, and some traffic violations.

The term of office is four years. Candidates do not need to be lawyers or have any special training.

There is only one Justice of the Peace position up for election in Pinal County this year, and it is uncontested. Republican Patricia Glover is running for the office in the 4th District.

Related posts:

Tragic capsizing of a boat in the Ganges claims the lives of two farmers
Colin Farrell, 48, walks the red carpet with his rarely seen son Henry, 14, at the New York premiere...
3 dead, 2 in critical condition in fiery crash near New Mexico border

By Hudson Brooklyn

Related Post

htnews

Death of Anna Sebastian Perayil: EY Chairman Rajiv Memani says: “I deeply regret…”

Hudson Brooklyn Sep 20, 2024
htnews

“Dear GOD… I pray for my boy”

Hudson Brooklyn Sep 20, 2024
htnews

The new Apple Watch Series 10 – better than the Ultra 2?

Hudson Brooklyn Sep 20, 2024

You Missed

htnews

Death of Anna Sebastian Perayil: EY Chairman Rajiv Memani says: “I deeply regret…”

htnews

“Dear GOD… I pray for my boy”

htnews

The new Apple Watch Series 10 – better than the Ultra 2?

htnews

Leni Klum: The model lets her glitter stones sparkle during the photo shoot