Bill Gates elected as chairman of Maricopa County Board of Supervisors

PHOENIX — Republican Bill Gates was elected chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, promising he would have a heavy focus in 2022 on maintaining and improving the county’s election system.

Gates, who replaces Jack Sellers in the role, said that county leaders would dispel misinformation and run a clean midterm election.

“In 2022, I am asking our team to run the most transparent elections this county has ever seen with proactive communications to reach diverse populations,” Gates said in his speech afterward.

Gates’ first undertaking as chairman will be focused not on 2022 elections, but rather the November 2020 one.

The board was scheduled to hold a hearing later Wednesday pushing back against unsubstantiated claims Cyber Ninjas — the Arizona Senate’s lead contractor for its audit of county election results — made following its lengthy review process.

“The attempt to undermine democratic elections puts at risk everything else we take for granted in a free country — speech, security and economic progress,” Gates said.

“And that’s why the county has not been silent — and will not be silent — in the face of lies.”

The five-member board came into the spotlight last year following claims of election fraud in the state’s most populous county.

The District 2 supervisor, Republican Steve Chucri, stepped down in November, citing a political landscape “wrought with toxicity.”

Chucri was replaced by attorney Thomas Galvin in December, keeping the board with four of the five spots occupied by Republicans.

Gates has served on the board of supervisors since 2017. This is his second time as chairman.

“Our focus should be helping people get things done — with low taxes, fewer regulations and less red tape — so we create an environment where families and businesses can thrive,” Gates said.

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