The Final Push in the Fight to Meet Voter Priorities

Editor’s Note: Austin Marshall is a local Arizona attorney and a graduate of the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University

November 8^th is less than two weeks away, but with early voting having begun, Arizona voters are already deciding the outcome of this election. A series of contentious races that will decide who controls the chambers of Congress in Washington have brought national attention to Arizona. Surely, statewide races have drawn the greatest attention in the media, principally with Senator Kelly overtaking the airwaves. But, attention is also focusing on the down-ballot races that will directly affect our day-to-day lives. While U.S. Senate races have always been a big draw for voter attention, this year we are witnessing unique and wide-ranging interest in another critical statewide race—the competition for Arizona Attorney General.

Frustration with outgoing Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s eight years of poor leadership has reignited citizens’ interest in who holds the position of the state’s top law enforcement official. But it is the campaign of Democratic nominee Kris Mayes, someone dedicated to the needs of Arizona’s citizens and attuned to the issues they face, that has made this race one to watch and inspired hope for what the right person could do in the position.

Arizona is ready for a change in the Attorney General’s office. Mayes has taken center stage as the candidate who stands for protecting the environment, securing reproductive rights, and confronting the most pressing concerns for voters. Contrasting herself from her Republican opponent, Mayes has kept her finger on the pulse of the people from her time as a Corporation Commissioner… while Abe Hamadeh spends his time supporting election deniers and ranting against our electoral system. Our state doesn’t need another candidate who wants to waste their opportunity to serve on misplaced priorities as Brnovich did—squandering his office’s time and resources on challenging much-needed environmental protections, supporting efforts to undermine the people’s power with the independent state legislature theory, leading the charge to roll back every woman’s right to decide what to do with her own body, and going after the technology companies. Companies that make critical contributions to Arizona economy’s and promote innovation. Brnovich’s M.O. was to erratically spend taxpayer dollars at every junction while avoiding the real responsibilities of his office – just to increase his own profile.

Voters now have the chance to course correct and support a candidate who will carry out the duties of the office in accordance with Arizonans’ priorities, not personal ambition. Mayes has already shown her dedication to issues ranging from reproductive rights to proper border security. It’s clear she wants to see a future that is better for the next generation of Arizonans, and she won’t let political strife or personal agendas get in the way.

Ultimately, voters want an Attorney General who will put their needs at the forefront of their work. Mayes is exactly that candidate. Her discipline on the campaign trail, ability to keep out of political bickering, proven track record, and continued focus on making Arizona a better state, all point to her priorities being in the right place.