Pinal County 2024 candidates: Here's who is running for supervisor, sheriff and more
Pinal County is one of the state's fastest growing, and is increasingly facing questions about its future.
Sandwiched between Phoenix and Tucson, it is often forgotten in favor of its larger neighbors. But as its population booms, the county is in a time of transition.
Once bright blue, it flipped about a decade ago to a conservative stronghold where only a handful of Democrats dare run each election cycle. Its edges are quickly becoming dense suburban communities filled with residents seeking affordable housing and a reasonable commute to work in the state's largest cities.
All of those changes come with complications. The county desperately needs new roads to alleviate traffic problems, particularly in areas on the edge of the Phoenix metro. It also faces economic development challenges.
Meanwhile, a rough 2022 election cycle means many in the heavily conservative county lack confidence in the electoral system. County officials have been working in the last year to remedy that issue and ensure a smooth 2024 primary and general. Still, questions around hand counting ballots and other election proposals remain.
Here's who is running for control of the county's future.
Pinal County supervisor
Pinal County's board is made up of five elected supervisors. They control a $1.1 billion budget in one of the fastest-growing counties in Arizona.
Supervisors, who are elected out of districts covering different areas of the county, appoint a county manager who serves as the chief administrator of Pinal County. While the county manager handles day-to-day operations across most departments, the board is responsible for overseeing their work and handling the county's checkbook.
The board has gained increasing influence as Pinal County has grown.
Here's who is running:
- Rich Vitiello, District 1: Vitiello is a former member of the Maricopa City Council. He was named vice mayor in December, but resigned on April 1 to run for county supervisor. He is originally from New York and has lived in Arizona for nearly 20 years. Vitiello is running as a Republican.
- George Arredondo Sr., District 1: He is a former member of the Coolidge City Council with a wide-ranging career. Arredondo worked as a cattle rancher before taking a position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Later, he worked as an information technology specialist for the U.S. Navy and saw three combat tours of the Middle East. He is running as a Democrat.
- Ron Weber, District 1: He is a marketing and sales executive for a California-based website design company. Weber previously started a payroll service company and worked in a variety of corporate positions. He lives in San Tan Valley and is running as a Republican.
- Mike Goodman, District 2: First elected to the board in 2016, Goodman is a former independent insurance broker, farmer and small-business owner who lives in the San Tan Valley area. An Arizona native, he's lived in Pinal County for about 15 years. He is running as a Republican.
- Steve Miller, District 3: He was elected to the board in 2012. Miller is an Arizona native and a resident of the county for more than 45 years. Previously, he served more than a decade on the Casa Grande City Council. He worked in the lumber and truss manufacturing business and as a licensed contractor. He is running as a Republican.
- Luke Myers, District 3: Myers runs a family rental and property management company that owns homes in Arizona and Indiana. His company was forced to pay damages to a lesbian couple after denying them housing in 2020. Myers lives in Coolidge and is running as a Republican.
- Jeff McClure, District 4: He has served on the board since 2020. A small-business owner, he served eight years on the Oracle School District Governing Board before becoming supervisor. He lived in Southern California and Seattle before moving to Saddlebrooke. McClure is running as a Republican.
- Pete Sabin, District 4: Sabin is an electrician who specializes in constructing large-scale manufacturing facilities. He previously worked in a variety of other manufacturing positions. He lives near Marana and is running as a Republican.
- Jeff Serdy, District 5: He was elected to the board in 2020. An Ohio native, Serdy previously served on the Apache Junction City Council. Later, he became the city's mayor. Serdy also owns a local firearms business. He is running as a Republican.
- Todd House, District 5: He was elected to the board in 2012 and defeated by Serdy in 2020. House, a former electrical salesman, also previously served on the board of the Superstition Fire and Medical District. Originally from Oregon, he's lived in Pinal County for more than two decades. He is running as a Republican.
- Rhonda Mattachione, District 5: She owns and operates several Airbnbs near her home in Apache Junction. Mattachione has also worked as a yoga instructor and personal trainer. She is running as a Republican.
Pinal County attorney
The county attorney serves as the lead prosecutor of the Pinal County Attorney's Office.
The office reviews and determines charges for felonies occurring in the county, and misdemeanors occurring in unincorporated areas. The office also provides legal services for the Board of Supervisors and county departments and agencies.
Here's who is running for county attorney:
- Kent Volkmer: He has served as county attorney since 2017. Volkmer previously operated his own law firm, where he handled cases involving juveniles, family law, estate planning and criminal defense. He lives in Casa Grande and is running as a Republican.
- Brad Miller: He is a criminal defense attorney and a former prosecutor for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. Miller also previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He lives near Florence and is running as a Republican.
Pinal County sheriff
The Pinal County Sheriff's Office is tasked with patrolling unincorporated areas of the county, as well as municipalities without a designated police force.
It also serves superior court orders and warrants, collects delinquent taxes, coordinates search and rescue missions and oversees the county's jails.
Here's who is running for sheriff:
- Ross Teeple: Teeple is a lieutenant with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He previously worked as a construction electrician and a corrections officer. Originally from Tucson, Teeple has lived in Pinal County for more than two decades. He resides near Florence and is running as a Republican.
- Kevin Cavanaugh: He currently represents District 1 on the Pinal County Board of Supervisors. Cavanaugh previously worked as a police officer in the Midwest. He's been no stranger to controversy during his time on the board — he recently threatened to sue his colleagues. Cavanaugh lives in Coolidge and is running as a Republican.
- Charles Austin Jr.: He previously ran for mayor of Apache Junction in 2020, but didn't receive enough votes to proceed to the runoff election for the seat. Austin has also worked with a lawn service and various contractors. He is running as a Republican.
- Patrick Melvin: Melvin most recently worked as a deputy chief at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. He was the first chief of police in the city of Maricopa after it incorporated, and then served as police chief for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. He also previously worked for the Phoenix Police Department and served in the U.S. Army. Melvin is running as a Democrat.
Pinal County assessor
The assessor is responsible for identifying, mapping and assessing all properties in Pinal County.
It's a job that is little known but vitally important. The assessor determines the value of properties, which dictates how much a property owner pays in taxes. They work with other county offices to maintain records and provide valuation information.
Here's who is running for assessor:
- Douglas Wolf: He has served as county assessor since 2012. Wolf was previously a real estate broker in California. He was born in Minnesota and now resides in San Tan Valley. Wolf is running as a Republican.
- December "Storm" Cox: He previously worked in the county assessor's office as an appraiser. Cox was born and raised in Pinal County. He is running as a Republican.
Pinal County treasurer
The treasurer acts as the county's tax collector and safeguards the county's money.
They are responsible for disbursing money from the county treasury and pursuing those who have not paid their county taxes. They receive all county revenues, manage credit accounts and invest county funds with guidance from county supervisors.
They also serve as treasurer for all schools and special districts within their county.
Here's who is running:
- Michael McCord: He has served as county treasurer since 2016. McCord previously worked as a middle school teacher at a charter school in Apache Junction. He eventually became the school's executive director. He lives in San Tan Valley and is running as a Republican.
Pinal County recorder
The county recorder manages public records, including property documents and governmental information.
They are also responsible for maintaining voter registration records and administering early voting, including mailing out early ballots, providing on-site early voting locations and verifying voter signatures on early ballot affidavits and petitions.
Here's who is running for recorder:
- Dana Lewis: She has served as county recorder since 2022, when she was appointed by the Pinal County Board of Supervisors. She began working for the county in 2019, starting out as an election specialist and eventually becoming deputy recorder. She also spent several years in the U.S. Air Force. Lewis is a Casa Grande resident and is running as a Republican.
Pinal County school superintendent
The county school superintendent provides services to support school governing board elections and bond and override elections, as well as manage school board appointments, oversee school finances and maintain home-school and private school records.
The superintendent also appoints new members to school board vacancies. That can give whoever holds the position great influence over the makeup of school boards countywide.
Here's who is running for the position:
- Jill Broussard: She has served as Pinal County's school superintendent since 2011. She previously worked as a teacher. Broussard also is a youth sports coach and Sunday school teacher. She is running as a Republican.
- Tara Walter: She has served as the mayor of Florence since 2016. Walter previously served on the Florence City Council and is currently an assistant principal at Copper Basin K-8 School in the Florence Unified School District. Walter is running as a Republican.
Justices of the peace
Justices of the peace preside over limited-jurisdiction justice courts and hear cases such as small claims, evictions, orders of protection, misdemeanor crimes and some traffic infractions.
They serve four-year terms. Candidates do not need to be attorneys or have any specific education.
Pinal County only has one justice of the peace race on the ballot this year, and it is uncontested. Patricia Glover, a Republican, is running for the position in District 4.
Sasha Hupka covers county government and election administration for The Arizona Republic. Do you have a tip to share on elections or voting? Reach her at sasha.hupka@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SashaHupka. Follow her on Instagram or Threads: @sashahupkasnaps.
Reach the reporter at rpriest@gannett.com.
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