Lyle Riggs tapped to reform justice court

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In the end, experience won out. Republican Lyle Riggs, an attorney and part-time judge, beat Councilmember Julia Gusse, an independent, and Democrat Kevin Taylor for the opportunity to turn around the Maricopa Justice Court.

With all precincts reporting but some ballots yet to be counted, Riggs earned 53 percent, 2,678 of the 5,028 ballots cast for justice of the peace. Taylor, who ran for Pinal County Sheriff in 2012, was second with 31 percent (1,548 votes). Gusse finished a distant third with 16 percent, 892 votes behind Riggs.

Riggs will take over the position formerly held by Judge Scott Sulley. Sulley was relieved of his duties earlier this year and banned from serving in a judicial capacity by the Arizona Supreme Court in September for a variety of improprieties, including missing funds. The State Bar of Arizona recommended Sulley be disbarred.

During the campaign, Riggs said he was eager to “help restore the community's confidence in its justice of the peace court.”

His sights are now set on doing just that.

“We’re excited, ready to go to work, get the court fixed,” Riggs said.

Riggs said his campaign strategy worked: “I think the message we’ve run from the beginning – we have the education, training and experience – I think it’s resonated with voters.”

Gusse tried to make Riggs’ legal background a negative, drawing a comparison to Sulley’s actions during an Oct. 4 debate because they both have a law degree.