Democrat Julie Gunnigle conceded the race for Maricopa County attorney to the Republican incumbent, Rachel Mitchell, on Monday. Though all votes have not yet been counted, Mitchell has led Gunnigle for several days.
The race to be Maricopa County attorney through 2024 was a mirror of national politics.
Gunnigle ran on abortion access. Mitchell ran on law and order. Yet other challenges await the leader of one of the largest prosecutorial offices in the country. Previous scandal grew public distrust. There is also a prosecutor shortage that Mitchell moved to fix as interim county attorney.
Mitchell has been a prosecutor for decades and was appointed to the top job this spring after Allister Adel resigned. Adel died roughly one month after leaving office.