The race between moderate Republicans and moderate Democrats running in Maricopa County's 3rd Congressional District could determine whether the county's Board of Supervisors remains under Republican control.
District 3 runs from the Central Valley to Cave Creek and Anthem. It is currently headed by outgoing Republican Supervisor Bill Gates, who has been widely criticized for defending the integrity of the county's 2020 and 2022 elections.
Gates claims county elections are secure led to death threats against him and his family From people who claim, without evidence, that the election was stolen from the defeated Republican candidate.
Also vying to take over the seat are former state Rep. Kate Brophy McGee and former Phoenix City Council member Daniel Valenzuela.
Brophy McGee calls himself a “moderate” and voted like one during his time in the Arizona Senate. She has sometimes sided with Democrats on issues such as efforts to ban conversion therapy.
She also opposed expanding Arizona's school voucher program.
Brophy McGee said she likes to find ways to compromise without departing from Republican principles.
“During my tenure, I was able to build very strong bipartisan consensus on many issues,” she said. “Probably what I'm best known for, or what I'm best known for in Congress, is that I fundamentally reformed what is now the Department of Child Safety.”
Mr. Brophy McGee has also served on the Washington Elementary School Board and the Maricopa County Planning Area Commission, and is currently a board member of the Maricopa County Special Health District.
Valenzuela served as deputy mayor for part of his time on the Phoenix City Council, and before that served as a firefighter for 20 years.
Both Brophy McGee and Valenzuela say their top priority is public safety and have touted support from law enforcement and fire organizations.
However, Valenzuela sought to differentiate himself on this issue.
“This not only provides delivery to the people we are here to deliver to, but it also provides delivery to the first responders and gives them the resources they need to do their jobs properly. “At the end of the night, go home to your loved ones,” he said.
Brophy McGee defended his record on public safety.
“In Congress, I avoided local public safety issues by enacting laws to regulate sober housing and to regulate methadone outpatient visits. I also worked very closely with local officials to enact those laws.” “I worked hard on it,” she said.
Regarding election integrity, Brophy McGee said he believes our elections are safe and secure, but that doesn't mean things can't be done better and results can't be obtained faster. Masu.
Valenzuela agreed that elections in Maricopa County are secure and the community needs some reassurance about that.
“Nothing matters what's on the ballot that the election itself doesn't matter. So that's what we all have to do and, you know, we should be relieved that every effort is made to They should be paid,” Valenzuela said.
Brophy McGee touted her many endorsements and said the biggest difference between her and Valenzuela is experience.
“If you look at the size and breadth of my state government, local government, and county government directly under my county, I would have to say that I am a much better qualified person to start the job on day one. '' Brophy McGee said.
She has chosen not to debate Mr. Valenzuela, but has participated in several candidate forums.
Valenzuela says that's unfortunate.
“Whenever my opponent wants to debate on any platform. I will meet with my opponent. We will once again discuss these opportunities and challenges that exist in our community so that voters can make informed decisions. “I think it's very important to do that,” he said.
