Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced late Friday that she would nominate Jenny Kunico, acting state health department secretary, to head the agency.
Kuniko was Hobbes’ second appointment to head the Arizona Department of Health Services. In a highly politicized process this year, the governor’s advance selection was defeated by the Arizona Senate.
Kuniko, a veteran of the state health department, “has shown leadership through good times and bad,” Hobbes said when announcing the nomination on social media. “I know she will continue to promote a healthy, safe and vibrant Arizona.”
Cunico has been working in the department since 2014, and has recently taken on a managerial position that makes it a safer option for gaining approval.
Until 2019, she served as deputy director of the Public Health Preparedness Service. She then worked in personnel, professional development, and as deputy director of planning and operations, according to the ministry’s website. As Deputy Director, she oversaw recruitment, information technology, the department’s budget, policy development and other operations.
She was appointed Acting Commissioner following the resignation in December of Don Herrington, who was appointed by then-Governor. Doug Ducey.
Kuniko was not immediately available for comment on Friday.
Candidate confirmation has become a key battle in the power struggle in the Capitol, where Republicans hold a majority in Congress but Democrats occupy the governor’s seat.
Like other candidates to head state agencies, Kuniko will face hearings by the Arizona Senate Chief Nominating Committee before receiving a confirmation vote by the 30-member Senate.
With the Republican-majority Congress adjourning last week, Hobbes’s candidate is unlikely to be confirmed anytime soon unless a special session is held. Candidates may serve up to one year without approval.
Only six of about 20 candidates were confirmed by the Senate this year.
That low number is partly why a commission led by Senator Jake Hoffman (R, Queen Creek), a frequent critic of Hobbs, has harshly criticized the gubernatorial candidate. Hoffman accused the governor of not sufficiently scrutinizing the election of government leaders, and Hobbs responded by accusing the commission of playing political games and getting in the way of the administration. .
Pima County Health Commissioner Teresa Cullen, Hobbes’ previous choice for state health commissioner, faced several hours of grueling hearings before a Senate committee, mostly over COVID-19 politics, but that He also questioned Cullen’s readiness for the approval process.
Cullen withdrew his nomination in February, around the same time the Senate voted to reject the nomination.
That left Mr. Hobbs’ transition team back to square one, facing the hurdle of finding a candidate with public health experience to survive the nomination process.
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Please contact reporter Stacy Berchanger. stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669.
