Allister Adel elected first female Maricopa County Attorney

PHOENIX – Voters have selected incumbent Republican Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel as the first woman to be elected as the Maricopa County Attorney.

Adel’s opponent, Democrat Julie Gunnigle, conceded Monday in a Twitter thread.

“We are humbled and incredibly grateful to the voters of Maricopa County for electing Allister Adel as county attorney,” Adel’s campaign said in a statement.

“Thank you to the many volunteers and supporters who spent countless days and hours sharing Allister’s vision with voters. This was truly a team effort and we could not have done it without everyone involved.”

Adel, a Republican, led by about 35,000 votes and had garnered about 51% of the vote at the time of Gunnigle’s concession.

“Although the results are not what we wanted in the County Attorney race, I have no regrets about the bold campaign we ran,” Gunnigle tweeted.

“I would like to thank the community organizations, our hundreds of volunteers, my amazing staff and the sacrifices my family made to support this race.”

Adel remains hospitalized after undergoing emergency surgery last week following a brain bleed caused by a head injury after a fall.

Ahead of the election, both campaigns focused on reforming the justice system, including lowering the number of offenders who are incarcerated, implementing diversion programs and working to build community relationships.

Gunnigle, who runs a civil practice in the Valley, campaigned to institute reforms that enhance accountability and transparency and ensure sure that the punishment fits the crime, no matter who is being prosecuted.

Adel sought reelection after she was appointed to the office in October 2019.

Her time consisted of implementing criminal diversion programs, pushing for all officers to be equipped with body-worn cameras and establishing new policies to better guide the handling of cases.

Most recently, her office was in the spotlight for her July decision to not file charges against Arizona Department of Public Safety Trooper George Cervantes, who was accused of shooting and killing Dion Johnson on May 25 after a struggle on the Loop 101 near Tatum Boulevard in north Phoenix.

“Now more than ever, we need strong and ethical leadership within our criminal justice system,” Adel’s campaign said.

“Allister has focused on creating a culture driven by ethical excellence and making the right decisions for the right reasons each day, but there is more work to be done.”

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