Republican Jack Sellers has endorsed a Democrat to replace him on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
Sellers endorsed Democrat Joel Navarro, who ran unopposed in a primary, instead of Republican Mark Stewart who defeated him in the GOP primary in July.
“I am endorsing Joel [Navarro] because he is a man of integrity, because he is a dedicated public servant who fights for what’s right, and because he has a record of serving the interest of all people regardless of the party,” Sellers said in a statement, according to The Hill.
Navarro will “continue the important work of protecting our elections,” he said adding, “moving forward, we need public officials who are willing to stand up against lies and misinformation in defense of Maricopa County voters.”
Republican members on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors have been under attack from members of their own party over baseless claims of widespread voter fraud after Democrats swept several competitive races in Arizona in 2020 and the 2022 midterms.
In a statement Navarro said he is “humbled” to have Sellers’ support.
“To Jack’s supporters & anyone else troubled by the attacks on our democracy, there is a place for you in my campaign #CountryOverParty,” Navarro continued.
Meanwhile, Stewart wrote in a post on social media that he respects Sellers’ decision to endorse his opponent.
“Politics can be an interesting game, but my focus remains 100% on serving the people of this district and our community,” he said.
“Despite his choice to support my competitor, I still hope to rely on Jack’s experience and expertise if we win,” Stewart continued. “Jack has served our community with distinction, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to learn from him.”
