Pinal County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday opted out of appointing a Pinal County Justice of the Peace to the Western Pinal Justice Court Precinct 4, serving Maricopa.

The Justice of the Peace Selection Committee declined to recommend a Republican candidate for the position vacated by Justice of the Peace Lyle Riggs. That led to the supervisors’ decision to not appoint.

Riggs resigned in January after serving since 2014.

A stopgap measure is in place until a July 30 special election, when Pinal County and Maricopa voters can decide who will be the next justice of the peace for Precinct 4.

Chief Civil Deputy Attorney Chris Keller explained that in January, there was an administrative order that was issued by the state Supreme Court. The order assigned Pinal County Superior Court Presiding Judge Joseph R. Georgini the ability to assign judicial officers as needed to the Western Pinal Justice Court to conduct its business.

“That order remains in effect, and the court is operating efficiently,” Keller said.

Maricopa-area District 4 Constable Glenn Morrison filed early to run for justice of the peace seat on the bench in the November election.

A second Republican candidate, Patricia Glover, filed her candidate statement of interest on March 18.

Glover is also a Maricopa resident and owner of Glover Court Solutions & Estate Planning, with offices in Maricopa and Casa Grande.

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