3 GOP Maricopa County attorney candidates invited to interview for interim gig

PHOENIX – The three Republican candidates for Maricopa County attorney have been invited to interview for a chance to hold the job until voters choose Allister Adel’s replacement, the county said Friday.

The position has been vacant since Adel’s resignation went into effect after March 25. Adel stepped aside after a tumultuous tenure that included her public battle with alcoholism and the disclosure that nearly 200 cases had to be dropped because her office didn’t file charges on time.

Chief Deputy Ken Vick is overseeing the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office until the Board of Supervisors appoints an interim county attorney. Under state law, the pick must be from the same party as Adel, who is a Republican.

Anni Foster, Gina Godbehere and Rachel Mitchell are the only Republicans who filed enough signatures to qualify for the ballot by the April 4 deadline.

Foster is general counsel for Gov. Doug Ducey. Godbehere is the Goodyear city prosecutor. Mitchell is a longtime Maricopa County prosecutor.

The Board of Supervisors is asking them to complete a questionnaire before coming in to interview for the interim county attorney role next week.

“A well-run County Attorney’s Office is a critical piece of a fair and efficient criminal justice system,” BOS Chairman Bill Gates said in a press release.

“This process will allow us to get to know the candidates better and determine if one of them is the right fit to serve in this position until voters choose a new county attorney in November.”

If one of the three GOP candidates gets the appointment, she will basically get an on-the-job audition for voters leading up to the Aug. 2 primaries and Nov. 8 general election.

The GOP primary winner will face Julie Gunnigle, the only Democrat to file signatures, in the general election.

Gunnigle was the Democratic nominee in 2020, when Adel became the first woman elected as Maricopa County attorney. Adel previously had been appointed to the position after Bill Montgomery departed for a seat on the Arizona Supreme Court.

November’s winner will fill out Adel’s four-year term and face reelection in 2024.

Follow @kstonezone