This year’s Maricopa County Attorney’s election has turned into a proxy vote on the future of criminal justice, law enforcement, and abortion rights in our region.

Important reasons: County attorneys prosecute nearly all criminal cases and determine whether police officers will be prosecuted in cases of use of force.

State of play: Late Maricopa County Attorney Alistair Adele retired in MarchThe Board of Supervisors nominated Republican Rachel Mitchell to replace her. She is running to maintain her position.

• A veteran of the office, Mitchell gained national attention as a Republican investigative attorney during the nomination hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
• Her Democratic challenger, Julie Gannigle, is a former Illinois prosecutor who has practiced and taught law in Arizona. She most recently worked as political director for her AZ NORML, a marijuana reform advocacy group. She lost to Adele in 2020.

abortion:

Mitchell: she has been uncommitted About prosecuting doctors and others who promote abortion.

• She said she would not prosecute women seeking abortions, but Arizona law no longer criminalizes women. recent discussion There is no “obligation to tell” whether she will bill the doctor or anyone else before considering a particular case.

gunnigle: She has made her campaign a focal point by pledging not to prosecute under state abortion laws.

• She unconditionally said she would not accuse women, doctors, or their support networks for making “private and personal medical decisions.”

Crime and Law Enforcement:

Mitchell: she approved .

• She characterizes Gunnigur as vulnerable to crime due to her association with people who want to defend and reform the police department’s funds.

gunnigle: In July, Ganigur did not tell Axios Phoenix whether he supported defunding the police.

• She attacked Mitchell for her ties to the police union, saying it creates a conflict of interest because county attorneys are responsible for deciding whether to prosecute officers in cases of use of force.

Criminal Justice:

Mitchell: she says she will fight to restore trust with crime victims by recruiting “highly capable individuals who fight for justice on their behalf.”

• Mitchell has said he has prosecuted hundreds of cases and fought to strengthen the law against crime against children and sexual assault.

gunnigle: Criminal justice reform and police accountability are key elements of Ganigur. platform.

• She says she will ensure officers “use force appropriately,” enact sentencing reforms, promote marijuana eradication, reform drug prosecution policies, and more.