PHOENIX – A commission recommended that the Arizona Senate reject Gov. Katie Hobbs’ choice of Director of Health Services.
In a 3-2 intraparty vote, Republicans on the Senate Nominating Committee, chaired by R-Queen Creek Sen. It came after stating that the judgment on important issues was questionable. .
Cullen was grilled for hours by the commission on Thursday, Feb. 9, for how he handled the COVID outbreak while leading the Pima County Health Department.
The questions focused on her recommendations on everything from mandatory curfews and wearing masks to closing some schools and classrooms to her way of encouraging people to get vaccinated. I was.
Then there was a website run by the county that publicly listed the names of businesses that were found not adhering to masking and social distancing requirements.
R-Surprise Senator Janae Schamp said her concerns extend beyond the actual decisions Karen made during the epidemic.
And R-Buckeye Senator Sine Kerr said her vote against the approval portends Karen’s record of leading the Pima County Health Department during the COVID outbreak if she becomes state health director. He said it had something to do with what she said.
Schamp read a quote from Karen in June 2021 stating, “It’s the ultimate arrogance and privilege to think you don’t have to be vaccinated.”
“Beyond arrogance and privilege, do you think there are other reasons why a person could choose not to be vaccinated?” Schump asked.
Cullen said the remarks were made at a time when cases surged in Pima County.
“In retrospect, it was an inappropriate comment,” she said.
It left the shampoo unsatisfied. She questioned whether Karen believed people could make their own decisions, even in the face of a spike.
“I believe people make their own decisions,” Cullen said.
“Isn’t it just when you’re in charge of public health in Pima County?” Hoffman said.
“That’s not what I believe,” Karen said.
“I’m sure I made recommendations and comments that I wouldn’t make today at certain times when it was soaring,” she said.
But Hoffman said the record of all her actions and statements points to a bigger problem.
“If you dealt with, or at least discussed, business or talked about businesses and individuals as if they were below you, you seemed to have a superiority complex about you.
Cullen has tried to distance himself from some actions, at least a little.
She told legislators that she would not make the final decisions about restrictions imposed by county supervisors. She said she just did.
Hoffmann did not accept her explanation because her role was so passive.
“You seem to be playing with words,” he told her.
Karen has defended her decision to work with the school to decide when to send the children home. Hoffman said she would not “legally” get into whether she ordered the school to close or whether district officials acted on her recommendations.
“However, under your guidance, they suffered countless consequences, including lack of proficiency in school, poor academic performance, decreased socialization, depression, and suicide.
Karen defended her actions.
“I think I’ve made the wrong decision, along with the school district and our school team, on the side of protecting children,” she said.
Hoffmann pursued the issue and asked her whether she believed the benefits of her actions outweighed the costs.
“You wouldn’t like this response,” Karen said. “It depends on the school and the level of infection at the time.
But as to whether the benefits will outweigh the costs at the macro level, he said, “I don’t know.”
Arizona “is going to face another health crisis, a medical crisis, a pandemic of sorts,” Carr said, adding, “My biggest concern is that decisions made at the county level will overlap. It’s been extended at the state level. ”
D-Mesa Senator Eva Birch defended Karen’s record and supported her nomination.
“When you talk about vaccines, wearing masks, hand washing, social distancing, closing schools and businesses, I think those measures have reduced deaths,” she said.
And Birch accused Republicans of using 20-20 hindsight to speculate on decisions made during COVID.
“Too many variables,” she said.
“Dr. Cullen would have done something different,” Birch said. There was no perfect solution. ”
Strictly speaking, Thursday’s vote will not derail her nomination.
However, with Republicans winning 16 to 14 in the House and all three Republicans on the panel recommending against her, it may be difficult for Cullen to survive the vote. Also, Senator TJ Shape, R-Coolidge (who could be considered one of his more moderate members of the GOP caucus), posted a message on Twitter late Thursday saying he disagreed. suggested.
“I am deeply troubled by Gov. Hobbs’ decision to push her nominee for the Department of Health Services,” he wrote.
“I respect Dr. Cullen’s experience,” Schop said.
If the Senate votes against it, Hobbes must choose a new candidate who must go through the same process.
The governor hasn’t given up hope that Karen will be approved, at least not for now.
“I support her nomination. For Arizona.”
Readers are encouraged to share their views of the public, whether for or against this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
Howard Fisher
Mr. Fisher is an award-winning Arizona journalist and founder and operator of Capitol Media Services.
