Political figures react to Arizona Supreme Court pick

PHOENIX — Arizona political figures responded with mixed reactions Wednesday to Gov. Doug Ducey’s appointment of Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery to the state’s Supreme Court.

Political analyst Mike O’Neil told KTAR News 92.3 FM that the 52-year-old Montgomery’s ideology will be complementary to that of Arizona Republicans, which is why Ducey chose him.

“The man has a far-right, impeccable conservative record that appealed very much to that constituency within the Republican party,” O’Neil said. “They feel he will be an absolutely reliable conservative vote on the bench and he’s young enough that that’s likely to occur for many decades to come.”

Montgomery will replace Chief Justice Scott Bales, who announced in March he was stepping down to lead the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver.

Montgomery’s announcement was praised by Arizona Republicans, including former U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl.

Kyl, in a statement sent Tuesday before the announcement, said Montgomery “has spent his life serving this state and our nation honorably.”

“I’ve worked with a lot of public servants over my 30-plus years in politics, and few have demonstrated the character and stature in public service that Bill has,” Kyl said in the statement.

Other Arizona Republicans leaned on Montgomery’s military history and political tenure as reasons why he will succeed in his new role.

Bill Montgomery has a record built on integrity & adherence to the rule of law. I have confidence he has the right judicial temperament & legal knowledge to fulfill his constitutional responsibilities nobly on the AZ Supreme Court. I commend Gov @dougducey for this selection. pic.twitter.com/zZMT2gu7Pm

— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) September 4, 2019

Congratulations to my good friend, Bill Montgomery, on being selected by Gov. @dougducey to the AZ Supreme Court. I’ve known Bill since meeting him in Florence when he ran for AG in 2006. He has been nothing but a servant gentleman in the Army and as County Attorney. Great choice https://t.co/2YAiucFKvF

— T.J. Shope (@TJShopeforAZ) September 4, 2019

Montgomery also received support from Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone, a Democrat.

“Congratulations to my friend and colleague Bill Montgomery on his appointment to the AZ Supreme Court by @dougducey,” Penzone said in a tweet. “Bill has provided great and consistent counsel and has devoted his life to public service. I wish him the best of luck on this next Chapter.”

Others weren’t as supportive of Montgomery’s appointment over six other finalists.

Let’s be clear: Bill Montgomery would have never been considered for this seat if he weren’t allowed to operate with unchecked power for nearly a decade as county attorney. pic.twitter.com/221kvlKB9L

— ACLU of Arizona (@ACLUaz) September 4, 2019

Julie Gunnigle, a Democrat and candidate for the county attorney position Montgomery is vacating, said his political leanings don’t fully represent the values of the state’s citizens.

Gunnigle in a statement argued that Montgomery “has consistently worked to undermine the rights of our most vulnerable citizens.”

“To say this is a troubling development is an understatement,” Gunnigle said in the statement. “Arizona’s highest court is supposed to represent the values of our community and our state.

“I fully believe Montgomery does not represent those values.”

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Nailea Leon contributed to this report.

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