Battle for supervisor: Independent challenges Republican in GOP stronghold

In January, Pinal County’s District 4 will have a new supervisor. Voters will decide who that will be on Nov. 3.

The district, which encompasses a wide swath of western and southern Pinal County from Maricopa to Arizona City to the Pima County border, is losing its Republican incumbent. Anthony Smith, who serves as chairman of the Board of Supervisors, opted not to run for a third term, opening the field for a new public servant.

Jeffrey McClure, a resident of the Saddlebrooke area, near Oracle, was the only Republican to run for the seat. No Democrat ran this year. The challenge comes from Maricopan Marlene Pearce, an independent who has been the District 4 administrator alongside Smith the past eight years.

JEFF McCLURE
Republican
Residence: Saddlebrooke area
Age: 62
Hometown:  Fort Worth, Texas
Occupation: Retired, entrepreneur
Education: Studied at Texas Christian University
Family: Married 38 years with three adult sons and a daughter who is due to give birth on Election Day
Years in Pinal County: 12
Political background: Precinct committeeperson 2010-present (elected); District PC chairman, 2013-2019 (elected); State committeeperson, 2016-present (elected); Oracle School District Governing Board, 2013-present (elected).
Employment background: Owner of small businesses, 1978-2012; managing partner of an energy investment group, 1999-present.
Like most about Pinal County: Open space
Like least about Pinal County: Transportation infrastructure, difficulty of east-west travel and maintenance of some roadways

Why do you want to be a county supervisor?

I am excited about the economic growth and the many opportunities that exist for the county and its residents right now and in the immediate future. The interdependency between transportation, water, housing and education has the power to both limit and launch economic growth. This is a critical time to be involved in shaping the future of Pinal County, and ensuring it is done in a thoughtful way that benefits all residents and is sustainable moving forward.

What do you most want to change about how the county is run and how will you do so?

I think for the most part the County is well-run, and we are fortunate to have such great teams of staff who do a wonderful job providing a variety of services. I would like to see more analysis put into the designs of county facilities before constructing any more new buildings.

What are three main issues you are campaigning on?

Infrastructure needs for economic development corridors, such as the developing Tech Corridor; safety issues with regard to understaffed law enforcement; and innovative ideas for long-term water storage.

What is your evaluation of how Pinal County leadership dealt with COVID-19?

In my opinion, county leadership handled, and is handling, the pandemic well. The Board of Supervisors took advice from many resources, including its own Health Department officials and the Governor’s office and balanced it well with the needs/wants of the majority of constituents.

What is your evaluation of how Pinal County leadership developed Prop 417 in 2017? If necessary, what would be your alternative to funding Prop 416?

I do understand the sense of urgency the Board felt in needing to get started with providing a transportation infrastructure for the continued economic and residential development of the county. The county was set to grow in leaps and bounds in the foreseeable future, and it has. They were tired of waiting for the state or federal government to provide funding.

Prop 417’s tax was contested by many from the first day. In my opinion, when faced with the possibility of a lawsuit over the language in the ballot proposal, the Board should have pulled the initiative from the ballot and reworked the funding plan. If Prop 417 tax does not survive the AZ Supreme Court, it may be time to re-think the plan.

During your campaign, what have been the biggest concerns expressed to you by Pinal County residents and business owners?

Most of the concerns have been around the COVID issue and the closures/re-opening of businesses and schools.

What do you see as Pinal County’s role in advancing education?

Educating a workforce truly begins with a strong pre-K–12 environment. It’s all about experience and exposure – showing the kids what is out in the world and getting them interested in something greater than their surroundings, creating life-long learners and creative thinkers.

Pinal County has been on an economic roll, but how should Supervisors prepare the county for a slowdown?

Pinal County is a service business. The needs of the client come first. The issue with an economic slowdown is that cash flow shrinks, and departments must cut excess spending. Unfortunately, this usually means layoffs, as in 2009. Our residents need employment stability to thrive, so stabilizing our employment numbers to avoid large swings in staffing helps everyone.

What do you see as an important issue in Pinal County in the next four years that is not being generally talked about now?

Mid-level job development and affordable/accessible housing is needed in order for people to be able to work where they live.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Eight years of elected public board service, managing large, whole budgets (versus departmental funding) on relatively fixed income/taxpayer dollars, paired with decades of managing a variety of diverse business operations through economic booms and downturns. Ability to build consensus.

MARLENE PEARCE
Independent
Residence: The Villages, Maricopa
Age: 62
Hometown: Canoga Park, California
Occupation: District 4 administrator, Pinal County Board of Supervisors
Education: Cal State University-Northridge, University of Phoenix. National Association of Counties Leadership Academy, City of Maricopa Citizen Leadership Academy.
Family: Son Austen and precious pups Daisy, Batman and Harley
Years in Pinal County: 15
Political background: None

Employment background: Eight years with Pinal County Board of Supervisors; 16 years of experience in business development, sales and marketing with Boise Cascade/OfficeMax, The Estee Lauder Corp., Bijan Fragrances and Christian Dior.
Like most about Pinal County: Pinal County is on the pinnacle of great things. It’s the fastest-growing county in the United States with a population of less than one million.
Like least about Pinal County: With all of the growth and opportunities we have and will be forthcoming, I would like to see a little bit less rivalry between cities/towns as there are plenty of opportunities to benefit and prosper.

Why do you want to be a county supervisor?

The past eight years serving the community has truly become a part of me. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to solve a concern or issue for the residents of District 4. I look forward to the opportunity to expand my experience and make a greater impact toward moving the county forward.

What do you most want to change about how the county is run and how will you do so?

We need to have better flexibility to the businesses who are trying to start, grow or develop within the county. Things are still a little too rigid, and we need to make it economically feasible and less restrictive for businesses to succeed.

What are three main issues you are campaigning on?

Economic development, education and infrastructure.

What is your evaluation of how Pinal County leadership dealt with COVID-19?

In general, the county did a good job, particularly with respect to challenging our governor to release the CARES Act funds that were owed to us, after he attempted to keep them. Where I feel we fell short was in a policy requiring masks in public places. I believe it would have been a short-term investment for a long-term gain.

What is your evaluation of how Pinal County leadership developed Prop 417 in 2017? If necessary, what would be your alternative to funding Prop 416?

With regards to Prop 416 & 417, the county took all the appropriate steps. The roads need development. Widening 347 in particular, but also other top projects which these propositions addressed. With more companies wanting to call Pinal County home, it is imperative we have these roads developed. The half-cent tax the voters approved was and is our best option to move these projects forward.

During your campaign, what have been the biggest concerns expressed to you by Pinal County residents and business owners?

Health and the economy. The toll Covid-19 has taken on our county is hard, small businesses in particular. These businesses are the heartbeat of our community. Sustaining them is paramount. The other of course is our natural fears for our own health.

What do you see as Pinal County’s role in advancing education?

You can never underestimate the importance of engagement. I am a strong advocate for engaging our students very early. I would continue to support Achieve Pinal. But even more than that, to clarify that there are many paths to a successful workforce.

Pinal County has been on an economic roll, but how should supervisors prepare the county for a slowdown?

The budget office is continuously monitoring the county’s financial picture. If we did experience a downturn, there are initial things to take into consideration: a hold on capital expenditures, hiring freeze, and departmental budget adjustments. There is a 15% contingency reserve sufficient to cover any unexpected events.

What do you see being an important issue in Pinal County in the next four years that is not generally talked about now?

We need to stop the exodus of our residents traveling out of the county each day for work. We need to be the best at job recruitment, training and employee retention.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I have been preparing for this role for eight years. As second-in-command, each year I have taken on more responsibilities, been more proactive in solving issues for the residents and have taken the lead on projects for the district. I know how to work with county staff and outside entities to get things done.

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This story appears in the October issue of InMaricopa magazine.