Supervisors candidate Daniel Valenzuela pitches regional approach to affordable housing, other local issues

Democrat Daniel Valenzuela shared his stance on the economy, public safety and elections in a Thursday Q&A as part of his bid for a supervisor seat in the state's most populous county.

The session originally was intended to be a debate between Valenzuela and Republican Kate Brophy McGee, but the former GOP state lawmaker declined to attend.

Supervisors are in charge of their county's budget, giving them power over other county offices. They also hold sway over some aspects of election administration, land use issues, regional public health approaches and animal shelter operations.

Valenzuela and Brophy McGee seek to represent District 3 in Maricopa County. Sitting Supervisor Bill Gates decided not to run for another term after election-related threats and harassment.

Valenzuela previously served on the Phoenix City Council. He is a retired firefighter and ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Phoenix mayor seat in 2019. Brophy McGee served in the Arizona Legislature for a decade and chaired the Arizona School Facilities Board.

The two are battling to represent a politically purple district that reaches from central Phoenix to the unincorporated community of Anthem. It also includes parts of Peoria and Paradise Valley. Democrats see the competitive seat as a chance to gain a long-sought-after majority on the influential board.

Valenzuela said he looked to take a regional approach to handling some of the county's biggest issues, such as housing, public safety and economic development.

He said Maricopa County officials deserved "a seat at the table" when the Legislature discussed zoning reform earlier this year and that supervisors should be on the front lines pushing for affordable housing.

"I think Maricopa County should be leading on this issue," he said.

While Valenzuela did not lay out concrete plans on how he would tackle rising homelessness across the Valley, he noted how collaboration between cities and local governments would be a start.

More than 12,000 people are facing homelessness in Maricopa County. Over the past year, for every person who finds housing, roughly two more become homeless.

When it comes to economic development, Valenzuela proposed "UPSKILL ARIZONA," a program that combines the forces of schools and businesses to provide people with the skills for new jobs and promotions. "Giving people an opportunity to find the best versions of themselves," as Valenzuela described it.

"If we really take that responsibility seriously," he said. "High-paying jobs follow."

Roads and transportation also are important to Maricopa County, one of the fastest-growing regions. Valenzuela said he supports Proposition 479, which would continue a half-cent sales tax to raise money for the county's highways and transportation services.

Valenzuela also highlighted public safety as a key issue and committed to supporting the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

A high-profile issue for the Board of Supervisors in recent years has been its election oversight. Valenzuela said he would respond to the rise in unfounded election conspiracy theories with facts.

"If we get into the business of winning everyone over, then we lose ourselves in the process," he said.

Valenzuela criticized Brophy McGee for opting out of the debate, saying it takes away voters’ ability to fully understand her priorities. She declined to comment on her absence to The Arizona Republic.

"I'm here. I showed up," Valenzuela said in his closing remarks. "This process is important to me."

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Republic reporters Sasha Hupka and Fernando Cervantes Jr. contributed to this article. 

Helen Rummel covers higher education for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @helenrummel.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maricopa County Board of Supervisors forum features Daniel Valenzuela