>> NEXT ON THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF ARIZONA HORIZON, IT'S A DEBATE AND TWO CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR MARICOPA COUNTY.

IT'S NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

>> Ted: WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL ELECTION 2022 EDITION OF ARIZONA HORIZON AND TONIGHT, WE FEATURE A DEBATE BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES FOR MARICOPA COUNTY.

THIS IS AN OPEN EXCHANGE FOR GIVE AND FAKE FOR ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT OFFICES AND DIALOGUE BETWEEN CANDIDATES IS ENCOURAGED AND PROVIDED ALL SIDES GET A FAIR SHAKE AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO ENSURE THAT HAPPENS.

CANDIDATES WILL GIVE OPENING STATEMENTS IN A SELECTED ORDER AND WILL GIVE CLOSING STATEMENTS IN THE OPPOSITE ORDER AND JOINING US IS DEMOCRAT JULIE GUNNIGLE, FORELAW PROFESSOR AND REPUBLICAN RACHEL MITCHEL, THE CURRENT COUNTY ATTORNEY APPOINTED TO THE JOB THIS YEAR AFTER RESIGNATION OF THE FORMER COUNTY ATTORNEY.

LET'S GET THINGS STARTED WITH OPENING STATEMENTS AND WE BEGIN WITH RACHEL MITCHEL.

>> THANK YOU, TED.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M RACHEL MITCHEL AND I'M YOUR MARICOPA COUNTY ATTORNEY.

I GREW UP AND WAS BORN IN THIS AREA AND THIS IS MY HOMETOWN.

MY PRIORITY IS MAKING SURE OUR COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS ARE SAFE.

I HAVE SPENT 30 YEARS PROSECUTING CASES, 25 OF THOSE YEARS HAS BEEN SPENT PROTECTING SPECIFICALLY CHILDREN FROM ABUSE AND WOMEN AND MEN FROM ADULT SEXUAL ASSAULT.

MY OPPONENT HAS A VERY DIFFERENT VIEW OF HOW THE OFFICE SHOULD BE RUN.

SHE WANTS TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

SHE WANTS TO ELIMINATE BAIL SO THAT PEOPLE CAN BE FREE TO COMMIT ADDITIONAL CRIMES AND SHE WANTS TO LET CRIMINALS OUT OF PRISON.

MY IDEA OF JUSTICE IS TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE AND I WOULD ASK YOU TO VOTE FOR ME IN NOVEMBER.

THANK YOU.

>> Ted: THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND NOW THE OPENING STATEMENT FROM JULIE GUNNIGLE.

>> GOOD EVENING.

I'M JULIE GUNNIGLE AND I AM NONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU JUST HEARD.

I'M A WIFE, A MOM, A NOTRE DAME TRAINED ATTORNEY ON HER 27th 27th YEAR OF PRACTICE AND DURING MY CAREER, I HELD POLITICIANS ACCOUNTABLE STEALING PUBLIC FUNDS.

WHEN I SAW THE SUPREME COURT WAS TAKING UP ROE V. WADE, I LOOKED AT MY TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS AND I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE TO PROTECT WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM BEING PROSECUTED FOR BASIC PRE-PRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE CHOICES IN OUR STATE.

I'M RUNNING FOR MY FAMILY AND YOURS TO CLEAR UP CORRUPTION IN OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE AND TREAT GUN VIOLENCE, ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH AS THE PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS THEY ARE BECAUSE WE DO NOT NEED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

YOU CAN LEARN ME AND MY PLATFORM.

>> Ted: RACHEL, HOW MUCH REFORM IS NEEDED IN THE OFFICE AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

KNOW, WHAT IS NEEDED OR WAS NEEDED WHEN I TOOK OVER WAS LEADERSHIP AND A PERSON WHO IS PRESENT AND COMMUNICATING A VISION TO THE OFFICE.

THAT OFFICE IS NOT CORRUPT AS MISS GUNNIGLE WOULD PORTRAY IT.

IT'S HARD-WORKING PUBLIC SERVANTS AND THEY NEEDED SOMEBODY PRESENT AND WHO COULD COMMUNICATE A VISION OF WHAT JUSTICE MEANS AND WHAT I HAVE COMMUNICATED TO THEM IS JUSTICE MEANS DOING RIGHT BY SOMEBODY.

WHETHER THAT MEANS PUTTING THEM ON A DIVERSION PROGRAM SO THEY CAN GET HELP OR WHETHER IT MEANS TAKING THEM OFF THE STREET BECAUSE THEY'VE COMMITTED A VIOLENT ACT, THAT'S WHAT THE OFFICE IS ABOUT.

>> Ted: IS THE OFFICE CORRECT AND IF SO, WHAT REFORMS ARE NEEDED?

>> WELL, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS IS AN OFFICE PROSECUTING PEOPLE TO SILENCE THEIR OPPONENTS AND 180 CASES GO UN-PROSECUTED AND TO THE WELL CONNECTED, FOLKS LIKE CHARLES RYAN.

INTHIS OFFICE IS SO OUT OF STEP THAT IF ARIZONA WAS THE LARGEST COUNTRY, IT WOULD BE THE ANGLE EIGHTH LARGEST IN THE WORLD AND GOING TO OUR PRISONS AND NOT PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

WE NEED OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT.

>> Ted: IS THERE OVERPROSECUTION IN THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE?

>> TO ADDRESS PROTEST, I WAS BROUGHT IN AFTER THOSE CASES WERE FILED AND I REVIEWED THEM AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS, SAYING THEY WERE OVERCHARGED AND I'M WILLING TO LOOK AT CASES WITH AN OPEN MIND.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE CASES ARE NOT OVERCHARGED AND HANDLED APPROPRIATELY.

THIS OFFICE IS SO IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY AND IT'S IMPORTANT.

WE PROSECUTE HOMICIDES, SEXUAL OFFENSES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WE KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE AND IT DOES A GOOD JOB.

LET'S GO TO THE 180 CASES HERE AND HOW MUCH DOES A DIVISION CHIEF, WHICH RACHEL MITCHEL WAS AT THE TIME, HOW MUCH SUPERVISION, AUTHORITY, HOW MUCH WOULD THEY KNOW ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN PARTICULAR WHEN IT'S A DEPARTMENTAL PROBLEM AND, OBVIOUSLY, THERE WAS A COMMUNICATION'S PROBLEM AND A LOT OF TROUBLE THERE WITH THE PREVIOUS COUNTY ATTORNEY?

HOW DO YOU SQUARE THAT CIRCLE?

>> WELL, FIRST, IT'S NOT JUST THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

IT'S SO MANY PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS BEFORE THAT AND DURING THE TIME THE 30 YEARS THAT RACHEL MITCHEL HAS BEEN A PART OF THAT OFFICE, THAT LEGACY OF CORRUPTION, THAT WALK HAND IN GLOVE WITH THE SHERIFF DOWN THIS PATH THAT COSTS OUR TAXPAYERS MILLIONS IN SETTLEMENTS HAS CONTINUED AND CONTINUED UNDER THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AS WELL.

SHE CHOSE TO TAKE UP ANOTHER POLITICAL PROSECUTION AIMED AT SOMEONE WHO SAID BLACK LIVES MATTER DURING A TRAFFIC START AND HE WAS CHARGED AS A GANG MEMBER.

WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD A RACHEL MITCHEL STYLE OF JUSTICE WHO UNDER DELIVERS.

>> I NEED TO RESPOND.

GLENN ROBERTSON WAS NOT CHARGED AND JULIE SAID THIS BEFORE AND KNOWS IT'S NOT TRUE.

GLENN ROBERT CLAIMED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CRYPTS AND THREATENED A POLICE OFFICER WITH CRYPT ACTION AND HE HAS BEEN CONVICTED IN ANOTHER CASE AND FACING AN ADDITIONAL CASE.

AS FAR AS THE 30 YEARS, WHAT I'M HEARING FROM JULIE, SHE'S GOING TO HOLD UNDER-LINGS RESPONSIBLE FOR HER DECISION.

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS THE PERSON IN CHARGE.

WENT THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH THE PREVIOUS COUNTY ATTORNEY, I SIGNED THE LETTER TO SAY STEP DOWN.

WHEN ANDY WAS IN, I WAS PROSECUTING RAPISTS.

SHE KEPT A WOMAN IN JAIL FOR 18 MONTHS HOW AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAW THAT'S NOT EVEN A CRIME HERE.

>> Ted: RESPOND, PLEASE.

>> FIRST A JURY FOUND THE OPPOSITE IN GLENN ROBERTSON'S CASE AND FOUND HIM NOT GUILTY AND I'M SURPRISED TO HEAR THOSE STATEMENTS.

TODAY.

I THINK IT STARTS WITH LEADERSHIP AT THE TOP AND I'M WONWONDERING WHAT IT SAYS THAT THE PEOPLE WORKING WITH HER 30 YEARS ARE LEAVING IN DROVES.

THIS OFFICE IS MORE OF THE SAME AND WE NEED CHANGE AND REFORM IN THIS OFFICE THAT IS EVIDENCE-BASED AND DATA DRIVEN.

>> Ted: IS THERE A RETENTION PROBLEM AT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND A NEW PROBLEM?

>> THEY ARE VOTING WITH THEIR FEET AND COMING BACK TO THE OFFICE.

WE ARE REDUCE ADD 20% DEFICIT OF PERSONNEL WHEN I TOOK OVER.

BY THE END OF THE YEAR, IT'S UNDER 10% FOR PROSECUTORS.

WE HAD PROSECUTORS COME BACK ACROSS ARIZONA BECAUSE THEY KNOW ME, THEY TRUST ME AND WANT TO WORK FOR AN OFFICE LEAD WITH INTEGRITY AND THEY KNOW I'M THAT PERSON.

THEY WILL LEAVE IF JULIE GUNNIGLE GETS ELECTED.

>> Ted: THE GANG CHARGES, RACHEL SAYS SHE TOOK OVER THE CASE, DISMISSED THE CHARGES AND NOT GOOD ENOUGH?

>> NOT GOOD ENOUGH IF YOU CONTINUE DOWN THAT PATH AND TAKES THESE CASES TO TRIAL.

THE JUDGE IN GLENN ROBERTSON'S CASE SAID IT WAYS THE WEAKEST BEFORE THE COURT AND THIS IS MORE WASTE AND MORE FRAUD AND MORE TAXPAYER DOLLARS THAT GOES INTO PROSECUTIONS THAT DON'T KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

WHAT KEEPS OUR COMMUNITY SAFE IS A PROSECUTOR THAT GETS AT THE ROOT CAUSE AND TACKLES MENTAL HEALTH HEAD ON.

>> WHAT SHE MEANS BY ROOT CAUSE IS GETTING RID OF CASH BAIL AND DEFUNDING THE POLICE AND THAT DOES NOT KEEP OR COMMUNITY SAFE.

GLENN ROBERTSON HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY IF OTHER CASES AND IS NOT AN INNOCENT PLAYER HERE.

>> Ted: BUT WAS THAT THE WRONG THING TO CHARGE HIM IN THAT CASE?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

HE THREATENED THE OFFICER.

>> Ted: LET'S TALK ABOUT REFORM AND THE QUOTE IS, YOU WANT TO REDEFINE PUBLIC SAFETY.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> SURE.

IT MEANS THAT WE GET AT THE ROOT CAUSE OF HARM IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE STOP THESE OUTRAGEOUSLY LONG SENTENCES FOR DRUG CRIMES AND DIRECT PEOPLE INTO TREATMENT RATHER THAN PRISON BECAUSE WE KNOW 97% OF EVERYONE IN AN ARIZONA PRISON WILL GET OUT AND ARE OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AND UNLESS THEY CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY, WE ARE ONLY CONTINUING THE CYCLE OF RECIDIVISM THAT GETS PEOPLE RICH WHO OWN PRIVATE PRISON INDUSTRIES AND LABOR SCHEMES.

JUST THIS LAST MONTH, OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY DEFENDED A 16-YEAR SENTENCE FOR SOMEONE SELLING AN OUNCE OF MARIJUANA, A SUBSTANCE LEGAL IN ARIZONA.

THAT ONE ALONE COSTS TAXPAYERS $330,000.

>> CAN I RESPOND TO THAT?

>> Ted: PLEASE.

PLEASE.

>> YOU CAN'T PLACE LOSE FAST AND PLAY WITH FACTS BE A PROSECUTOR.

THAT PERSON HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF ARMED ROBBERY AND HE COMMITTED SIX ARMED ROBBERIES IN ORDER TO EARN HIS WAY INTO A GANG.

THEN HE WAS ON PROBATION AND THEN HE SOLD ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MARIJUANA.

BY THE WAY, IT'S STILL ILLEGAL TO SELL MARIJUANA WITHOUT A PROPER LICENSE AND, YES, HE WAS CONVICTED.

>> Ted: IS THAT PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION WHEN YOU SEE SOMEONE DO X, Y AND Z AND DO A AND B AND IT'S WRONG AND DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING?

SOMEONE HAS A PAST HISTORY AND PRIORS AS DESCRIBED, DOES IT NOT MAKE SENSE TO GO A LITTLE TOUGHER ON THEM?

>> I MEAN, POTENTIALLY IF THEY'RE GOING TO RECEIVE TREATMENT SO THAT THEY DON'T REOH FUND ANDREOFFEND.

RIGHT NOW OUR RECIDIVISM RATE TOPS 50% IN OUR STATE.

I LOOK AT IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE IF SOMEONE OWNS A SMALL BUSINESS AND MY PRODUCT FAILED 50% OF THE TIME, WOULD I THROW $1.5 BILLION AT IT?

AND I THINK WHEN WE GO AFTER FOLKS, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE CLAIM THEY'RE DANGEROUS IN THE COMMUNITY AND I DISPUTE THOSE FACTS, BUT WE SHOULD BE HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT IS ALLEGED.

IN THIS CASE, IT'S A 16 YEAR SENTENCE FOR SELLING AN OUNCE OF MARIJUANA.

TED >> Ted: CHARGE STACKING, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Ted: EXPLAIN.

>> THE WAY OUR CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM WORKS, BECAUSE WE HAVE GONE DOWN THE PATHS OF MANDATORY MINIMUMS, THE PROSECUTOR HOLDS ALL OF THE CARDS AND HOLDS THEM AT AN EARLY STAGE OF THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM PROCESS.

IT MEANS THAT A PROSECUTOR CAN STACK CHARGES SO HIGH, SOMEONE WOULD BE FACING SOMEONE OF YEARS AND FACED WITH A PLEA AGREEMENT WITH A MINIMUM MISS MISDEMEANOR, THEY TAKE IT AND PEOPLE EITHER NEED TO TAKE THIS AND SIGN AWAY YEARS OF THEIR LIVES OR FACE A TRIAL.

>> LET TALK ABOUT THAT LAWSUIT WITH THE ACLU SHE'S REFERRING TO.

A FEDERAL JUDGE JUST LAST WEEK RULED AGAINST THE ACLU AND FOUND OUR PROCESS WAS APPROPRIATE.

PROSECUTORS HAVE THAT ABILITY.

AND AS FAR AS CHARGE STACKING, MOST TIMES THAT'S TOTALLY WITHIN THE POWER OF THE JUDGE.

EVEN IF SOMEBODY KILLS TWO INDIVIDUALS, THE JUDGE CAN CHOOSE TO RUN THOSE CONCURRENTLY OR CONSECUTIVELY.

WHERE DO YOU SEE MANDATORY CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES HAVE TO DO WITH CHILD MOLESTATION AND I WOULD HOPE MY OPPONENT WOULD NOT BE ADVOCATING FOR MORE LENIENT SENTENCES IN THAT CASE.

>> Ted: DOES THAT JUST TAKE SO MUCH OUT OF THE JUDGE'S HANDS, IT DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENTENCE?

THE JUDGES HAVE ACT ES ACCESS TO A FULL RANGE OF SENTENCES AND I HAVE TOLD THE JUDGES, PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU THINK IT'S INAPPROPRIATE.

SO THEY HAVE A LOT OF ABILITY TO EFFECT A PLEA.

BUT THE REALITY IS, WE DIDN'T HAVE MANDATORY SENTENCES FOR A LONG TIME AND BECAUSE OF THE DISPARITIES THEY WERE SEEING, THE LEGISLATURE MADE THE DECISION TO ENACT MINIMUM SENTENCES.

>> Ted: YOU DISAGREE WITH THAT IDEA?

>> MAY I RESPOND BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUSTMY AND SO JUST ME AND SO MANY FOLKS ON THE LEFT AND SO MANY FOLKS ON THE RIGHT.

LIKE THE NOLAN CENTER, RIGHT ON CRIME AND THEY'RE ALL AGAINST THE SYSTEM OF CHARGE STACKS.

THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE FOR IT ARE THE PEOPLE WHOSE FRIENDS AND DONORS ARE GETTING RICH OFF OF THIS PRIVATE LABOR SCHEME HERE IN ARIZONA.

>> Ted: CAN IT BE ARGUED YOUR IDEAS OF REDEFINING PUBLIC SAFETY ARE SIMILAR TO THE TOP PROSECUTORS SIMILAR TO LOS ANGELOS AND SAN FRANCISCO WHERE REFORMS HAD BEEN ENACTED AND HAVEN'T GONE OVER THAT?

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND, LOOK AT SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELOS, WE DON'T WANT THAT?

>> IT'S NOT JUST PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT WE NEED REFORM ON THE LEFT.

IT'S PEOPLE ON THE RIGHT WHO BELIEVE WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF REFORM AND WE WASTE NOON MONEY THAT THROWS AWAY LIVES AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO END UP WITH A SYSTEM THAT HELPS PUBLIC SAFETY AT ALL.

WE'LL REPEAT A CYCLE OF RECIDIVISM.

>> I JUST HEARD HOW YOU ARE DIFFERENT FROM SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELOS.

THE QUIET PART OUT LOUD, SHE'S THE SAME.

SAN FRANCISCO SOMEBODY VOTED OUT SOMEBODY LIKE JULIE GUNNIGLE BECAUSE IT WAS CLOSING BUSINESSES BECAUSE PEOPLE DIDN'T WANT TO GO THERE.

SHE'S TAKING MONEY FROM THE POLICE AND SHE'S TWEETED THAT SHE WANTS TO TAKE $25 MILLION OUT OF THE POLICE BUDGET.

LET ME TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO THAT.

THAT WON'T TAKE PATROL OFFICERS OFF THE STREET BUT SEX CRIME'S DETECTIVES OUT OF THE ADVOCACY CENTERS BECAUSE I'VE SEEN IT, AND PUT THEM ON THE STREETS.

THERE IS LET PEOPLE INVESTIGATING CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN AND WOMEN.

>> Ted: ARE YOU AGAINST DEFUNDING THE POLICE?

>> NO.

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS BEEN IN THE OFFICE FOR 30 YEARS AND KNOWS THAT DURING THOSE 30 30 YEARS, THE OFFICE HAS NEVER PASSED A POLICE BUDGET OR ADVOCATED FOR A POLICE BUDGET.

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FUNDING POLICE.

FRANKLY, I'M SO OFFENDED THAT SHE WOULD CHARACTERIZE SUPPORT OF A MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM THAT MENTAL HEALTH FIRST RESPONDERS CAN RESPOND TO MENTAL HEALTH CASES IN OUR COMMUNITY SOMETHING DEALING WITH POLICE FUNDING.

>> WHERE IS THAT GOING TO COME FROM, TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM THE POLICE AND YOU KNOW IT AND TWEETED ABOUT SUPPORTING A $25 MILLION REDUCTION IN PHOENIX'S BUDGET.

>> THAT'S ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE AND I'M SO SORRY -- >> WE WILL BE PUTTING THAT ON THE MEDIA TO SHOW WHERE YOU'VE TWEETED.

YOUR CAMPAIGN MANAGER IS BRUCE FRANKS, JR., WHO NOT ONLY WANTS TO GET RID OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS, BUT WANTS TO ABOLISH, NOT EMPTY OR REDUCE, BUT ABOLISH PRISONS.

THAT'S YOUR CAMPAIGN MANAGER.

>> I'M JULIE GUNNIGLE, YOU'RE RUNNING AGAINST ME AND NOT MY STAFF.

MY PLATFORM IS SUPPORTED BY BOTH CONSERVATIVE AND LIBERAL THINKERS AND IT WILL SAVE US MONEY WHILE KEEPING US SAFER.

>> WE ENGAGE IN EVIDENCE-BASED AND WE HAVE A ROBUST DIVERSION PROGRAM THAT IS INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL THAT I'VE EXPANDED SO THAT WE CAN PUT FEWER PEOPLE IN PRISON AND HAVE ALTERNATIVES.

>> Ted: I WANT TO GET MOVING HERE AND I WANT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

AND JULIE, LET'S START WITH YOU ON THIS ONE.

WILL YOU PROSECUTE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF ARIZONA ABORTION LAWS IF THE PRE-STATE LAW COMES INTO EFFECT OR ANY OTHER ABORTION LAW THAT BANS ABORTION IN WAYS THAT YOU DON'T AGREE WITH?

>> IT'S NOT WHETHER OR NOT I AGREE.

THE QUESTION THAT IS ALWAYS ASKED OF PROSECUTORS IS TO PURSUE THOSE CASES THAT ARE IN THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE.

AND NOT NOW, NOT EVER, IT WILL NEVER BE IN THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE TO INVADE ARIZONA'S BEDROOMS AND PRIVATE LIVES TO PURSUE THESE KINDS OF CASES.

THE 1864 LAW THAT PREDATES EVEN ARIZONA STATEHOOD AND EVEN WOMEN HAVING THE RIGHT TO VOTE CRIMINAL CHARACTERIZES ABORTION AND CREATES A MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS IN PRISON AND A MAX OF FIVE FOR ANYONE AND IT CRIMINALIZES EVEN THE ADVERTISEMENT OF CONTRACEPTIVES AND WE WON'T WASTE MONEY PURSUING THAT.

>> Ted: YOU WOULD NOT PURSUE THOSE CHARGES?

>> NO.

>> Ted: WOULD YOU PURSUE THOSE CHARGES?

>> I DON'T THINK THAT'S RESPONSIBLE TO SAY.

WHEN YOU'RE SWORN IN, YOU'RE SWORN TO UPHOLD THE LAW.

YOU THAT DOES NOT MEAN -- THAT MEANS THERE'S REASONABLE A LIKELIHOOD OF CONVICTION.

I'LL LOOK AT THAT BECAUSE THAT'S MY RESIDENT AS RESPONSIBILITY AS I AM WITH EVERY OTHER CASE.

I'VE SPENT MY CAREER PROTECTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

I'VE SEEN WOMEN IMPREGNATED BY RAPE AND WALKED WITH THEM TO COURT AND SAME THING WITH CHILDREN.

I'M KEENLY AWARE OF HOW DIFFICULT THIS IS.

>> Ted: AGAIN, PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION?

>> I USE THAT EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE AND THAT MEANS I'LL LOOK AT EVERY CASE WHETHER THERE'S A REASONABLE LIKELIHOOD ACQUISITION.

WHAT IT DOES NOT MEAN IS THAT I WILL ANNOUNCE IN ADVANCE THAT I'M NOT GOING TO FOLLOW A LAW BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE IT.

THAT'S NOT MY ROLE.

>> Ted: JULIE, CAN YOU SWEAR TO UPHOLD THE LAW AND THEN NOT PROSECUTE CERTAIN LAWS.

>> ABSOLUTELY, LAW PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION IS THE LAW IN ARIZONA.

THAT IS WHY THIS POSITION IS ELECTED AND WHY I'M UPFRONT WITH VOTERS NOT TO INVADE YOUR PRIVATE LIVES, BECAUSE I HAVE ZERO FAITH AS A MOM OF TWO YOUNG GIRLS THAT OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY WON'T THROW THEM IN JAIL OR PRISON FOR ACCESSING AN ABORTION.

WE SAW WHO SHE IS.

WHEN SOMEONE SHOWS YOU WHO THEY ARE, BELIEVE THEM.

WE SAW HER ON THE NATIONAL STAGE, RUN COVER FOR SOMEONE CREDITABLY ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND INSTALL A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE ONTO THAT COURT FOR A LIFETIME APPOINTMENT AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS HE DID WAS OVERTURN ROE V. WADE AND STRIP OF US OUR MOST BASIS RIGHTS.

>> Ted: DID YOU RUN COVER?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

WHEN I WAS IN LAW SCHOOL, I SAW THE ANITA HILL HEARINGS AND I REMEMBER THE QUESTIONING SHE UNDERWENT.

I'M A NATIONAL EXPERT IN HOW TO INTERVIEW VICTIMS.

WHEN I QUESTIONED DR. FORD, I QUESTIONED HER ACCORDING TO EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES AND REASONABLY SO THAT SHE WAS NOT ATTACKED.

>> Ted: CHARLES RINE WAS MENTIONED WHAT HAPPENED, AN ARMS STAND-OFF AND POLICE WERE AFRAID FOR THEIR LIVES.

AND THE CHARGES TOOK FOREVER AND WHAT'S THAT ALL ABOUT?

>> TED, IT IS AN ONGOING CASE, SO I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHAT I SAY.

WHEN I TOOK OFFICE, IT WAS NOT REVIEWED YET AND STAFFED WITH THE PREVIOUS COUNTY ATTORNEY AND I ACTED QUICKLY.

I CAN SAY I LOOKED AT ALL OF THE FACTS, NOT JUST THE ONES ON THE MEDIA OR THE ONES THAT SENSATIONALIZED THE SITUATION AND TALKED TO SENIOR ATTORNEYS AND I LOOKED AT EVERY BIT OF BODY CAM AND READ EVERY POLICE REPORT AND MADE THE CALL.

>> Ted: GOOD FOR YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT, JUST MORE OF THE CAME.

APPARENTLY THE DUCEY APPOINTEES GET SOMETHING NO ONE ELSE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IF THEY WENT ON A THREE-HOUR TEQUILA FUEL BENDER, HOLDING THEIR WIFE AND DAUGHTER HOSTAGE.

>> THAT IS NOT TRUE.

HE DID NOT SHOOT AT THEM, HOLD THEM HOSTAGE, HE FIRED A GUN OFF AT HIS SINK.

IF SHE SAID THAT AS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THIS SHOWS WHAT POOR JUDGMENT SHE HAS.

SHE SAID THAT, SHE WOULD BE UP ON ETHIC'S CHARGES BECAUSE SHE'S PREJUDICING THE PUBLIC AGAINST THE DEFENDANT WITH AN OPEN CASE.

>> Ted: COULD THE OFFICE HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB OF EXPLAINING WHY IT TOOK SO LONG IN THE RYAN CASE?

>> WHEN I TOOK OVER, I IMMEDIATELY GOT TO IT, SO THAT INVOLVED THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION AND I GOT TO IT VERY QUICKLY.

>> Ted: GOOD ENOUGH.

>> THE OFFICE IS IN COMPLETE DYSFUNCTION.

WE HAVE BACKLOGS, NOT JUST IN OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS, BUT BACKLOGS IN EVERYDAY RUN-OF-THE-MILL CASES AND BACKLOGS IN SIMPLE CASES LIKE DUI'S AND THIS IS PART OF THE DECISIONDYSFUNCTION OF THE OFFICE.

>> WHEN I TOOK OVER, THERE WAS AN 800 CASE BACKLOG ON DUI'S AND THAT IS GONE AND I HAVE REDUCED THE ASSESSORS APPEALS HIRED A LOT MORE PEOPLE AND EVERY NUMBER THAT OFFICE IS GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

BUT YOU KNOW, JULIE GUNNIGLE IS TRYING TO TAKE OVER AN OFFICE THAT IS A THOUSAND PEOPLE AND SHE'S NEVER SUPERVISED A SINGLE SUPERVISOR AND HAS SO LITTLE EXPERIENCE, SHE WOULDN'T BE QUALIFIED TO BE THE LOWEST LEVEL SUPERVISOR IN THE OFFICE.

I STILL HAVEN'T HAD ABOUT THE BAD JUDGE YOU USED WHEN YOU LOCKED UP A WOMAN UNDER A LAW FOR 30 MONTHS.

>> Ted: THERE'S 30 SECONDS LEFT.

>> IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER.

EVERYTHING YOU HEARD IS UNTRUE.

THE CASE I WAS INVOLVED IN, SOMEBODY WAS HELD ON A LOW-LEVEL CHARGE ON HIGH BAIL FOR A LONG TIME INSIDE A JAIL SYSTEM WITH INADEQUATE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IS ON ME.

I HAVE TAKEN FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND ANYBODY WHO TOUCHED THAT CASE, I SAT THIRD CHAIR GOT SUED.

THAT CASE IS WHY WE NEED REFORM BECAUSE PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE HELD FOR THAT LONG AND SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO BASIC HEALTHCARE IN PRISON.

>> Ted: IT'S TIME NOW FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

IN REVERSE ORDER, WE START WITH JULIE GUNNIGLE.

>> IT'S BEEN MY PLEASURE TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ANY VISION FOR THIS OFFICE THAT HAS HAD MANAGEMENT ISSUES, CORRUPTION ISSUES AND HAS COST TAXPAYERS AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR A LONG TIME.

VISIT JULIE GUNNIGLE2022.COM TO SEE THE REAL PLAN FOR JUSTICE TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND SAVE US MONEY.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, AS WE CAST OR BALLOTS IN NOVEMBER, IT CANNOT BE OVERSTATED, WE SHOULD NOT BE SENDING WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO PRISON FOR THEIR REPRODUCKTIVE HEALTHCARE CHOICES.

JOIN ME SAYING NOT NOW, NOT EVER TO INVADE OUR PRIVATE LIVES AND BEDROOMS.

>> Ted: THE CLOSING STATEMENT FROM RACHEL MITCHEL.

>> I WOULD ASK YOU TO GO TO RACHEL MITCHEL.COM TO LOOK AT THE POSITIONS ON THE ISSUES.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IS WHAT IS ON THE BALLOT FOR THIS RACE AND NOT THE GOVERNOR IS THE SAFE OF OUR COMMUNITY.

HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE WHO COMMIT DANGEROUS CRIMES IS WHAT I HAVE DONE FOR 30 YEARS AND THE MAJORITY OF THAT HAS BEEN PROTECTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

JULIE GUNNIGLE'S POSITIONS ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP WOMEN AND CHILDREN SAFE.

THEY'RE GOING TO PUT FEWER COPS ON THE STREET AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE CRIMINALS ON THE STREET.

SHE HAD SURROUNDED HERSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO DO NOT RESPECT WOMEN.

HER CAMPAIGN MANAGER, AND SHE CAN DIS-AVOICE AVOW HIM, HE HAS TWEETED VULGAR THINGS ABOUT WOMEN AND INSULTED THEM WHEN THEY WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN CERTAIN SEX ACTS ON TWITTER.

YOU ARE WHO YOU KEEP COMPANY WITH.

>> Ted: WE HAVE TO STOP YOU AND CANDIDATES, THANK YOU BOTH.

PROGRAMMING NOTE, OUR NEXT DEBATE IS NEXT WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st FROM DISTRICT 5 ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

YOU CAN WATCH THIS DEBATE AT AZPBS.ORG OR CATCH IT ALL ALONG WITH LIVESTREAMING OF ALL OF OUR SHOWS.

THAT IS IT FOR NOW AND I'M TED SIGHSIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.