(The Center Square) – A new slate on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors was sworn in on Monday morning. Supervisor Thomas Galvin was voted as the chairman and Kate Brophy McGee was selected as vice chairwoman for this year.
“The challenges that face this board are formidable, but I know we can overcome them,” Galvin said on Monday morning.
He added that the board has a “conservative fiscal record to be proud of,” citing budget and tax cuts, contrasting Maricopa County to “financial basket cases” like Los Angeles County, Calif., and Cook County, Ill,. He also plans on hiring an economic development advocate and forming an advisory committee with the goal to have the National Hockey League return to the area after the Coyotes’s departure.
Debbie Lesko, a former congresswoman, Brophy McGee, and former Chandler City Councilman Mark Stewart are all new to the board. Steve Gallardo is returning as the sole Democrat on the governing body.
Two of the previous Republicans on the board, Clint Hickman and Bill Gates, opted not to seek re-election, and Jack Sellers lost his primary to Stewart.
“My primary goal… as a member is to instill the spirit of customer service,” Stewart said.
“I envision Maricopa County where we treat our services as if we are running a business,” he added saying he’ll want to “champion innovation.”
Gallardo said he’s focused on tackling “social and economic challenges” including affordable housing and homelessness.
Notably, Lesko called for “a comprehensive audit of the entire elections system in Maricopa County from a reputable firm” shortly after being sworn in.
“Boy, do I love to be home in the sunny skies of Arizona,” Lesko said about leaving Congress last week, joking that she was grateful not to be part of the United States House Speaker vote debacle on Friday.
There has also been turnover in a couple of other county roles.
Former state Rep. Justin Heap is replacing Stephen Richer, another Republican who lost his primary. The biggest tipping point among Republicans that led to the changes in leadership largely centered on disagreements surrounding election administration among the party. Sheriff Jerry Sheridan is taking the place of Russ Skinner, who was serving after Paul Penzone stepped down. Sheridan is the first Republican since Joe Arpaio to hold the office.
