Just hours after the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors elected her to fill the legislative vacancy in the Chandler-based district, Julie Willoughby took the oath of office and became a state legislator. .
Willoughby, a Republican, will replace former Republican Rep. Liz Harris. Exiled on April 12th For inviting a woman to file unsubstantiated criminal charges against lawmakers at a hearing in February and lying about it to the Arizona House Ethics Committee.
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willoughby Ran as a team with Harris in 2022distanced himself from the former lawmaker during his swearing-in ceremony in the House of Representatives on Friday.
“The biggest issue I have with the 2020 election is that it’s 2023 and we’re still talking about it,” Willoughby told reporters. When asked directly if she was an election denier, Willoughby replied, “No, I’m not.”
“I really want to move forward. If there are scams, if there are issues, let’s look at them. Yes,” said Willoughby. “We want to focus on that because we can never find our way by looking in the rearview mirror.”
Willoughby is Chief Nursing Officer Exceptional Community Hospital Maricopa. she 2018 also failed for parliament.
The swearing-in took place after a brief special meeting of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on Friday morning, when the board approved Willoughby by a 4-1 vote, with Democratic Rep. Steve Gallardo voting against Willoughby.
“These are never easy decisions. No,” Gallardo said.
Gallardo said he spoke with “several” of the candidates and made it clear that they would likely not agree on all issues, but one of the key issues for him was the election. Endorsing a candidate reluctant to say the 2020 elections in Maricopa were “safe and secure” was no start.
Willoughby’s campaign website includes “voter integrity” in her words. Problem section, and that “it is of utmost importance to be able to ensure that our elections have not been tampered with or manipulated.” There is no evidence that the 2020 or 2022 elections have been tampered with or manipulated in any way.
When Gallardo mentioned his objection, one of the handful of Harris supporters in the crowd heckled him and the rest of the board. Argued with Sheriff Paul Penzone, claiming he did not support the Constitution.
Harris supporters attend board meetings Since her ouster, she has often made dubious allegations of election fraud and thrown verbal barbs at attendees. only four people showed up. None of the three candidates to fill the vacancy, Harris, Willoughby and Stephen Steele, showed up at the meeting.
Other members of the Board were more receptive to the appointment and thanked all candidates for their patience and participation in the process.
District 1 Supervisor, which includes Legislative District 13, interviewed Jack Sellers and said discussions with candidates covered issues such as homelessness, water, elections and Proposition 400.
The seller called the conversation “polite and cordial,” but added that Harris reaffirmed that she believed her dismissal was “illegal.” An overwhelming two-thirds majority permits expulsion of members of parliament.
“Look, it’s unconstitutional!
The swearing-in scene was much more heartfelt, as Willoughby, surrounded by family and friends, was sworn in by Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bollik.
After being sworn in, surrounded by her husband and children, Willoughby said in a short speech, “We know we’ll be on our way soon.
Congress has already been in session for 115 days, and Republican and Democratic lawmakers are now engaged in budget negotiations with Gov. Katie Hobbs.
“Yes, we have a lot to do in a very short period of time,” said Toma. “You’ll soon find out what it really means to drink water from a fire hose.”
The Arizona Senate has a vacancy awaiting appointment from the board due to the resignation of Raquel Terran, who is seeking to run for Congress.
