Unsure who to vote for in Maricopa County District 2 supervisor race? Hear from candidates

The upcoming state primary will determine who has a shot at representing the East Valley on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

The county is the most populous in the state and all of its top seats are up for grabs in 2024. Its leaders must navigate a housing crisis, rapid population growth and unfounded election conspiracies, among other issues.

In District 2, two Republicans are running for the job: Incumbent Tom Galvin and former state Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita. Whoever wins will face Scottsdale Unified Governing Board member Julie Cieniawski, a Democrat, in the November election.

Which district do you live in? Check with county maps.

Cieniawski is looking to flip the seat — but that will be an uphill battle in the bright-red district. Galvin hopes to win a second term after being appointed to his seat in 2021 and winning election in 2022.

The Arizona Republic asked each candidate questions about their bid for office and how they would handle key issues if elected. Here's what the candidates had to say. Answers may have been slightly edited for clarity and brevity.

Budgeting: Where would you increase or decrease county spending?

One of the primary responsibilities of the Board of Supervisors is to control the county’s checkbook. What areas of county government would you prioritize in your ideal county budget? Would you decrease spending in any areas?

Tom Galvin: My core philosophy as a county supervisor is to protect the Maricopa County taxpayers. The board approves the budget for about fifty departments. But, nearly half of the county budget is dedicated to public safety which includes the Sheriff's Office, County Attorney's Office, jails and courts. Public safety funding is my top priority. I have worked with the sheriff and county attorney to assess what’s needed to fight crime and keep residents safe. Drugs are a scourge in our community and Joe Biden’s failure to control the border impacts all of us. I’m proud of investing in the “Focus on Fentanyl” program and the “Organized Retail Theft Task Force” for the County Attorney’s Office. We have provided significant funding to the Sheriff’s Office for drug interdiction.

I’m proud to have voted to cut property tax rates in each of the three budgets I have voted on. In my first year, I passed the largest property tax rate cut in county history. Last month, the county cut the overall budget by 11%. The county’s financial position is strong, without debt. I have earned every police endorsement, including the Mesa Police Association, Arizona State Troopers, Arizona Police Association, and Phoenix Law Enforcement Association.

Michelle Ugenti-Rita: Years of fiscal irresponsibility have resulted in a bloated county budget of $3.87 billion and a bureaucracy of more than 13,000 employees. As a staunch fiscal conservative, with the record to prove it, all of the more than 40 county departments' budgets need to be scrutinized using zero-based budgeting. The era for signing the blank checks requested by the bureaucracy needs to come to an end.

Arizona election: Read our full coverage of county supervisor races.

Julie Cieniawski: Priorities for any organization should be indicative through the allocation of resources.  Fulfilling the fiduciary responsibilities includes the duty to stay objective, responsible, honest, trustworthy and efficient.  Before judgments are made supporting or refuting current expenditures, it's important to understand the progress made on county strategic priorities, the adjustments and costs invested into current priorities and learn more about the recommendations by experts in the field of how to best achieve county goals while maintaining the collective budget. Adjustments should be made according to progress on the priority work and interest and feedback from the people directly impacted by the decisions.

Growth: How would you address continued population increases?

In recent years, Maricopa County has continued to experience rapid growth. That has tested the region’s roads, increased concerns about water supply and led to overcrowding in county animal shelters, among other issues. How would you position and prepare the county to navigate the ongoing influx of new residents?

Galvin: People are moving here because Maricopa County has a low tax rate, is favorable for job creation and is dedicated to improving the quality of life of residents. However, this growth means that we need to avoid becoming victims of our success. I have years of experience in the private sector, and I understand how important it is for elected officials to appreciate the concerns and worries of families and business owners. We need to build new roads to meet the demands of our growing economy. However, we need to maintain the roads that we already use every day for work, school and shopping. There is currently a sales tax to fund these roads which has been in place for 40 years.

I support continuing that common-sense financing plan. However, my opponent Michelle Ugenti-Rita opposes the continuance of the financing for the maintenance and construction of roads. This suggests she supports an anti-car agenda and deterioration of our roads, which will lead to further development of light rail and will spur an increase in property taxes to fund it.

I am also proud to have overseen the successful completion of a new animal adoption shelter in Mesa.

Water wars: What happened in Rio Verde Foothills?

Ugenti-Rita: Under my opponent Supervisor Thomas Galvin’s failed leadership, the necessary work to properly prepare for Maricopa County’s anticipated population growth hasn’t been done, placing us significantly behind the curve. For example, my opponent abandoned the residents of rapidly growing Rio Verde Foothills last year when they were in dire need of securing a permanent water source, forcing the Arizona Legislature to get involved.

As an experienced conservative leader, one of my primary goals is to make sure the 10-year and 20-year plans for Maricopa County cannot only accommodate growth, but are financially viable to implement without excessively growing the bureaucracy and tax burden. I strongly oppose raising taxes to fund projects under the guise of “economic development.” That’s what Democrats do — for example, "Build Back Better," also known as "Build Back Broke."

Unlike my opponent, Supervisor Galvin, I do not support Proposition 479, the county’s half-cent sales tax increase, which will generate $15 billion to fund light-rail expansion, mass transit, replacing car lanes with bike lanes, vanpool and dial-a-ride services. Instead, I believe cutting government red tape and getting out of the way of private innovation are important components to preparing Maricopa County’s future for our children and their children.

Cieniawski: I think it is vital for a booming county to make aggregate forecasts and predictive models to measure growth, determine the impact on assorted service models and systems, and attempt to hold a proactive approach to planning for rapid growth.  Conducting surveys, getting out in the community and learning of the perceived issues from those impacted by decisions is a great way to monitor and adjust plans accordingly.

Housing: How would you work to address the Valley's housing crisis?

Affordable housing is a challenge facing the entire region. If elected, how would you approach this issue in your district and countywide?

Galvin: Maricopa County has planning and zoning jurisdiction over unincorporated areas. However, I have found it important to foster good relations with Mesa, Scottsdale and Phoenix officials regarding housing issues. Joe Biden’s failed inflationary and economic policies are making it difficult for families to buy a home. At Maricopa County, we work with local organizations to help those in need. I’m proud of our collaboration with St. Vincent de Paul to create a facility that now offers beds for 100 veterans, seniors and adults with disabilities.

Water is a crucial part of the housing story. Unlike cities and private water companies, Maricopa County does not provide water. But I believe a county supervisor must advocate to protect our water supply. I’ve only served in elected office for two years, but I successfully mediated the water dispute between the city of Scottsdale and Rio Verde Foothills.

However, my opponent Michelle Ugenti-Rita showed no interest in water during her many years in elected office and ignored the Scottsdale water situation throughout her entire 12 years at the state Legislature. I have had extensive discussions about housing with the leading realtor organizations. I am proud to be endorsed by Phoenix Realtors, Scottsdale Area Realtors and the Southeast Valley Realtors.

Ugenti-Rita: Arizona as a whole, and Maricopa County in particular, has very little developable private land available. In fact, only 18% of all land in Arizona is privately owned, leaving very few options to accommodate growth. I will use the partnerships I have cultivated and maintained during my 12 years in the Arizona House and Senate to develop regional solutions to this growing problem, unlike my opponent, whose leadership style on issues like the Rio Verde Foothills water crisis resulted in acrimonious relationships with state and local leaders.

Cieniawski: It's important to understand that the housing market has shifted dramatically in some municipalities throughout the county. Several factors have led to the affordability crisis. Supply and demand remain a constant factor, other factors influencing the housing affordability issue include: Wages not commensurate with cost of living expenses, entry-level purchasing qualifications being skewed, financing being more challenging to obtain and higher lending interest rates. With homes now being situated to compete with hotels in the tourism industry, it's no wonder affordability issues continue to plague parts of our county.

The solutions are not easy and will require the commitment of many different resources in our community (and nation) to properly address. As projects are considered and onboarded, the county can implement enhanced qualifying standards which can alter the results of new housing projects and how they impact affordability, footprint, ecological impact, sustainability and adaptability to various populations (old, young, singles, families, multi-generational, etc.). The input from industry experts and affected community members, examining other county solutions and encouraging creativity can support solutions to alleviate housing affordability challenges.

Government relations: How will you work with state lawmakers and others to address issues facing the county?

Counties are arms of the state and have only specific powers prescribed in Arizona law. If elected, how would you lobby state lawmakers and other officials to address issues facing the county? Would you advocate for increased powers at the county level — and if so, what ones?

Galvin: ??I am a strong proponent of limited government, and I would not advocate for “increased powers” at the county level. We counties are mandated by state law to carry out executive functions provided by state law and the Arizona Constitution.

However, there are important issues where we need to collaborate with the Legislature. I do believe that state officials have neglected the important issue of election integrity. Gov. Katie Hobbs did not even mention elections once in this year’s State of the State speech. The rest of the nation wonders why Arizona has procedures that do not speed up vote counting.

I plan to call on state lawmakers to catch up to the 21st century by delivering reforms to the voters who desire stronger election procedures. I hear often from local law enforcement officials about how the border crisis is detrimentally impacting Maricopa County. I want to work with state lawmakers to increase penalties for those who bring illicit fentanyl over the border. I want to continue working with state lawmakers on securing our water supply. I have extensive experience in water issues, and it is extremely important that we promote conservation, augmentation and reuse for the next hundred years.

Ugenti-Rita: Many people may not be aware, but one of the powers of the Board of Supervisors is to appoint members to the Arizona Legislature in the event that a vacancy occurs. Mr. Galvin took full advantage of this power and appointed Jevin Hodge, a radical Democrat, to fill a vacant seat in Legislative District 8 earlier this year. This suggests Supervisor Galvin chose Mr. Hodge, Congressman David Schweikert's 2022 Democratic election opponent, in a retaliatory move against the congressman because of his vocal support of my candidacy for the Board of Supervisors.

Supervisor Galvin praised Mr. Hodge in a press release, saying: "Jevin Hodge has proven himself to be an independent thinker and business advocate who puts community wellbeing ahead of politics." Supervisor Galvin went on to say: “I appreciated his thoughtful answers to my questionnaire, and I believe he will be a voice of reason and a potential consensus builder at the state Capitol." It is important to note, Mr. Hodge resigned 48 days after his appointment by the county supervisors when serious allegations in his past were discovered.

Cieniawski: I think no matter what position of authority one is assigned to, it is important to work collaboratively with others, when possible. County leaders should be coordinating efforts with municipalities and state leaders.  This collaborative approach to addressing the needs of the residents in Maricopa County can extend resources and direct priorities to receive the best return on investment and collectively support the needs of the residents in Maricopa County and across the state of Arizona.

Elections: How confident are you in election results?

Maricopa County supervisors are responsible for overseeing Election Day voting, running tabulation and certifying election results. The county also saw widespread printer issues during the 2022 election, although they did not impact the outcome. How confident are you in the certified results of the 2020 and 2022 elections? Regardless of your answer, how would you work to improve voting and election administration in the county?

Galvin: I have worked every day for the last two years on improving voting and election procedures. It is important to look forward and always find ways for improvement. I have voted to approve the construction of a new election facility. I have approved increases of the following: Signature verifier teams, number of tabulators, full-time election staff and number of voting locations.

This year, I advocated for the passage of an important bill to ensure that military and overseas voters are not disenfranchised. My opponent Michelle Ugenti-Rita said of military voters who were concerned about not being able to vote in a post on X: “There’s not a problem. Get over it!” Indeed, there was a problem. The conservative Republican-led Legislature passed the bill and Gov. Hobbs signed it. I am proud of fighting for military voters.

I am confident of the certified results of the 2020 and 2022 elections. I have never wavered from that assessment. I know many career politicians, including my opponent Michelle Ugenti-Rita, who have refused to answer this important question. A county supervisor is tasked with certifying elections so one must have the courage and political backbone to be candid with the voters of District 2.

Ugenti-Rita: Since I was elected in 2010, I have been a leader of reforming our election system. I have championed several reforms to protect the integrity of our elections by banning the practice of ballot harvesting, consolidating election dates, strengthening our voter identification laws, cleaning up our vote-by-mail rolls and strengthening the process for automatic recount when races are razor close.

I am not confident in the result of the past several elections due to the county’s negligence in the administration of our elections. From the countless meetings and events I have attended during this campaign, what is abundantly clear is neither is the public. Voters are tired of having their concerns ignored and my opponent's absence and refusal to participate in any of these forums only furthers their distrust in our election process. Voters feel intimidated by the county’s new mandatory police escorts they must have when speaking at board meetings and feel disenfranchised by their government and current Supervisor Thomas Galvin.

Cieniawski: It's vital to uphold high standards of administrative leadership and collaboration commitment throughout the voting process. Systems need to be clearly communicated and implemented while remaining open to feedback from assorted sources that are meaningful and ultimately create systemic improvements. This can be completed in the way of data analysis, direct feedback from assorted user perspectives (through surveys), audit actions and the analysis of data.

The cog of change must include data-driven and factual information as well as an understanding of the user experience and the will to implement the change. It is interesting that the claims of alleged tainted election outcomes came from candidates in an election where others from the same political party emerged victorious in other races. I accepted the outcome of the elections because it is what adult citizens should do. It's important to accept defeat and success with grace.

On a personal note: Who do you admire?

What person in public life, past or present, do you most admire, and why?

Galvin: First, my parents and my wife have made the most tremendous impact on my life. My parents taught me about hard work, and love of family, and instilled in me a faith in God. My wife inspires me every day as we raise our young son.

There are two public figures that I admire: President Ronald Reagan and former Gov. Jan Brewer. President Reagan won two landslide elections because he understood the American people. He advocated for issues and policies that are timeless. He triumphed at a time when Americans were tired of rising crime and rising inflation, the same issues we see today. Reagan’s policies of cutting taxes and addressing crime were meant to help folks who needed it. I am now cutting taxes and investing in public safety to ensure Maricopa County residents can thrive and are safe.

My opponent Michelle Ugenti-Rita has posted nasty comments about fellow Republicans such as Donald Trump and Kari Lake on X, rather than focusing on policy differences. I prefer to emulate Jan Brewer, who doesn’t bash fellow Republicans but cheers them on. Brewer is a conservative who sticks to her guns and stays true to her principles. I am honored to be endorsed by her.

Ugenti-Rita: In public life, I most admire people who stand for and defend conservative values and principles without equivocation. That is why I am proud to be endorsed by U.S. Congressman David Schweikert, former Attorney General Mark Brnovich, Abe Hamedeh, former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, former Secretary of State Republican nominee Mark Finchem and Scottsdale Vice Mayor Barry Graham. I am also endorsed by 11 current and former state legislators, including state Sen. Wendy Rogers, state Rep. Joe Chaplik and state Rep. Barbra Parker. This is an unprecedented rebuke of current Supervisor Thomas Galvin's failed leadership.

Cieniawski:  There are many individuals who I admire and who have provided me with inspiration. Women like Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Billie Jean King, Shirley Chisholm and Malala Yousafzai all overcame discriminative stereotypes and continued to move their interests forward despite great odds and consequences.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maricopa County District 2 supervisor election: The candidates