Thomas Galvin elected chair as Maricopa County supervisors are sworn in; Galvin lays out public-safety, housing and election priorities

Thomas Galvin was elected chair of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 6 after the board swore in five supervisors at a public ceremony that also included invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Galvin, the newly elected chair, asked the board to “be a board of action” and laid out a wide-ranging agenda that prioritized public safety, fiscal restraint, housing production, transportation and election reforms. "We aim to be a board of action, and I aim to deliver a consequential chairmanship that will achieve substantial results," Galvin said.

Why it matters: The chair controls the board agenda and can steer priorities for the county’s multibillion-dollar operations. Galvin told supervisors and the public he will push policies he described as supporting both “prosperity and security,” and he directed the county manager to create specific proposals on performance management and economic development.

What happened: The board began the session with an invocation by Rabbi Andy Green and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Rusty Bowers. Justice Clint Bullock and Judge Anna Huberman administered oaths to returning and newly seated supervisors. Supervisor Mark Stewart (District 1), Supervisor Kate Brophy McGee (District 3), Supervisor Thomas Galvin (District 2), Supervisor Debbie Lesko (District 4) and Supervisor Steve Gallardo (District 5) each took the oath of office and gave brief remarks focused on constituent service, public safety, housing and constituent outreach.

Elections and formal actions: The board nominated and approved Thomas Galvin as chair for 2025 and announced Kate Brophy McGee as vice chair. Votes…