Saddlebrooke resident throws hat into county supervisor race

Fred Mackenzie lives 103 miles from Maricopa, but he wants to tell residents here he is serious about representing them if elected to the District 4 seat on the Pinal County Board of Supervisors.

Mackenzie, who lives in Saddlebrooke near Oracle and north of Tucson, announced at January’s meeting of the Maricopa Tea Party he will challenge fellow Republican and Maricopa mayor Anthony Smith for the seat.

Henry Wade, organizer of the Copa City Democrats, is in the race as a Democrat.

Mackenzie said this is his first time running for political office.

“My goal is not to be the supervisor from Saddlebrooke, but to be the supervisor for all communities in Pinal County and bring them together instead of trying to get earmarks or favors for own community, which has been the custom in the recent past,” he said.

Mackenzie said he has made several trips to Maricopa to become familiar with the city.

“I’ve been coming to Maricopa and getting to know the issues,” he said. “I was at the (Jan. 28 city election) debate on Saturday where I made some contacts learned some of the issues.”

Mackenzie said he is interested in building a bridge over the Union Pacific railroad tracks, the dust problem and the negative image of Maricopa and what could be done to reverse it.