12 county attorneys call on Hobbs to rescind abortion-related executive order

By Kirsten Dorman
Published: Tuesday, July 4, 2023 - 12:15pm
Updated: Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - 12:17pm

Gov. Katie Hobbs
Kirsten Dorman/KJZZ
Gov. Katie Hobbs speaks to the media on June 22, 2023, about the Arizona Right to Contraception Act.

Twelve of the Arizona's 15 county attorneys signed onto the letter, including four Democrats, are asking Gov. Katie Hobbs to rescind the executive order that moves the power to prosecute abortions exclusively to the attorney general.

In a letter Monday evening, the county attorneys called the order “an unnecessary and unjustified” intrusion on their duties and obligations.

The letter echoes Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell’s words at a recent press conference: that the order “sets a dangerous precedent” and opens up the possibility for another, future governor to assign prosecuting power to the attorney general for any category of crime.

Attorney General Kris Mayes has cited actions taken in the 1976 murder case of Arizona journalist Don Bolles. The county attorneys say that precedent only applies to existing, individual cases.

Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer, a Republican, was one of the county attorneys who signed the letter. Volkmer joined The Show to talk about the main concerns about the executive order.

Hear Kent Volkmer on The Show with host Mark Brodie

Kent Volkmer
Pinal County Attorney's Office
Kent Volkmer

More stories from KJZZ

PoliticsThe Show Abortion