MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — Rachel Mitchell is leading in the race for Maricopa County Attorney against Democratic challenger Tamika Wooten. The Associated Press has yet to call the race.
Mitchell declared victory on Nov. 6 on "X," formerly known as Twitter, however, AP has not called the race.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Rachel Mitchell declara victoria antes de que la carrera por la fiscalía del Condado Maricopa antes de que esta sea anunciada
Tamika Wooten (D), challenger
According to her campaign website, Wooten has over 30 years of experience as a practicing attorney. She worked as the Chief City Prosecutor in Glendale and worked with the presiding judge to develop a domestic violence program. She's served as a judge in Avondale, El Mirage, Mesa, Scottsdale, Surprise and Wickenburg.
If elected, Wooten's website said she will "work to restore faith in our justice system and re-focus the County Attorney Office on prosecuting serious crimes." She said she will prioritize alternatives to incarceration for minor offenses.
Wooten was born in Pomona, California. After graduating from high school at 16, Wooten graduated from UCLA and studied law at the University of Arizona. Her website said she also continued her education with hundreds of hours of law training and sports management.
Wooten's parents fostered her "community-driven spirit," her website said. Her father was a postal worker who instilled a "work ethic of service and civic responsibility." Her mother was a high school teacher for high-risk students and she emphasized preparing students "to strive beyond their current circumstances."
Wooten has been affiliated with the State Bar of Arizona, the Supreme Court of Arizona Character and Fitness, and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, according to Ballotpedia.
Wooten has two daughters and is married to a pediatrician, her website said.
- wants to prioritize alternatives to incarceration to reduce prison populations and save taxpayer dollars.
- wants to work to restore faith in the justice system.
12News invited Wooten to be interviewed on air. She has not returned 12News' request.
Rachel Mitchell (R), incumbent
Mitchell is the current Maricopa County attorney and assumed office in 2022. Her current term, if she is not reelected, ends on Jan. 1, 2025.
In the Republican primary for Maricopa County attorney, Mitchell won 57.6% of the vote and her opponent, Gina Godbehere, received 42.4% of the vote, according to Ballotpedia.
On her website, Mitchell says she is "a prosecutor who prosecutes." Mitchell was born and has lived in Arizona her whole life. She earned her law degree from Arizona State University and has an undergraduate degree in public administration and justice studies from Grand Canyon University.
She was asked by the Senate Judiciary Committee to serve as nominations investigative counsel and to question Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings for associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in 2018.
In 2019, Mitchell served as the acting Maricopa County attorney after Bill Montgomery was appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court. Mitchell previously served as the chief deputy county attorney and chief of the special victims division.
Mitchell created the Prosecution Integrity Unit, which oversees conviction integrity and law enforcement misconduct. She has earned several awards and recognitions for her work with sexual assault and crimes against children.
According to her campaign website, Mitchell:
- wants to restore trust with victims of crime.
- wants to restore trust with law enforcement.
- wants to restore trust with the community.
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Decision 2024
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