Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes Discusses Her First Year in Office

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has had an eventful first year in office. From fighting for Arizona Consumers and Senior Citizens to protecting the groundwater water supply and environment to advocating for reproductive freedom to investigating potential wrongdoing among 2020 fake electors, Ms. Mayes’s tenure has been a sharp turn from her predecessor who did not focus his priorities on a lot in these areas.

Earlier today, the Attorney General released a video on social media highlighting the priorities her office has taken up in 2023. Please watch it below.

The Attorney General also graciously took the time to respond to questions from the Blog for Arizona about her first year in office.

The questions and her responses are below.

1) Madam Attorney General, please tell us your overall feelings about being Attorney General after almost a year in office.

“Some of the issues we have been most focused on in this first year is protecting seniors and other vulnerable adults, fighting to protect our state’s environmental resources, chief among them being our water supplies, fighting the state’s fentanyl crisis, and defending reproductive rights. We had a lot of work cut out for us when the year started. But I’m endlessly proud of the stellar team at the Attorney General’s Office that works day in and day out for the people of this state and we are just getting started.”

2) What are at least three legal cases you are proudest of seeing through this first year?

“I am proud of all of the work we’ve done this year. But I am particularly proud that we joined a lawsuit asking a federal court in Washington to lift unnecessary restrictions on mifepristone, a medication abortion drug that has been used safely for over twenty years. Because of Arizona’s participation in this important lawsuit, mifepristone is currently legal and accessible in the state.

I am also proud of the lawsuit we filed against manufacturers of PFAS which have polluted Arizona’s groundwater, and the injunction we filed to stop a mine from operating in Chino Valley that would have seriously disrupted life for residents in that community.”

3) What have been the most pleasant surprises of being Attorney General?

“Having the opportunity to work with such a dedicated group of public servants at the Attorney General’s Office and getting to travel the state to hear directly from Arizonans.”

4) What have been the most challenging parts of being the Attorney General?

“My office is at the forefront of addressing many critically important issues that significantly impact our state. Navigating through these diverse and often competing priorities can be challenging at times – but I like a good challenge.”

5) What comment can you provide on the status of the investigation into the 2020 Fake Elector scheme?

“I understand why folks want to know what is happening in our investigation. That’s a natural desire. But we are doing a professional and thorough investigation and will do it on our timetable, as justice demands. And as I’ve said in the past, it is generally not appropriate to provide updates in the middle of investigations. We’ll bring everyone up to date when it’s appropriate to do so.”

6) Is there anything not covered in the first five questions that you would like to let the readers know about your experiences during your first year as Arizona Attorney General? Please explain.

“We’ve accomplished a lot in our first year: protecting seniors and other vulnerable adults, fighting to protect our state’s environmental resources, fighting the state’s fentanyl crisis, and defending reproductive rights. And I can’t wait to see what we accomplish in the new year.”