Journalists’ Roundtable: Gates decides against reelection, Hobbs’ new chief of staff and more

It’s Friday, and that means it’s time for the Journalists’ Roundtable! Joining us for a look at the week’s top stories is Mary Jo Pitzl of The Arizona Republic and AZCentral.com, Jim Small of the Arizona Mirror and Camryn Sanchez of Arizona Capitol Times.

Top stories this week include:

• Bill Gates decides against reelection

• Chad Campbell named Governor’s Chief of Staff

• Committee rejects another Hobbs nominee

• Voucher expansion estimates

• Laura Pastor announces for run for Congressional District 3

Bill Gates, a lightning rod for election deniers, announces he’s not running for reelection

Jim Small: “He’s been on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for a number of years as chairman and was really kind of front and center for the whole 2022 election and the whole post election stuff that’s gone on. He opened up about a month ago to The Washington Post about some of the trials and what he’s gone through on a personal level because of all the attacks against the county and against him in particular, the PTSD and the threats against him and his family and the concerns for safety. He decided this week that he was done.”

Bill Gates has served as chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors which has come under heavy scrutiny over the past couple of years from election deniers who believe the previous elections in Maricopa county were not run properly.

Mary Jo Pitzl: “When you’ve got people screaming and yelling at you, and you feel so threatened that you move your family to another place to spend a couple of nights, that’s understandable. And he probably saw more of it coming for 2024.”