Maricopa Assessor Candidates
Candidates are placed in alphabetical order by last name.
There is one (1) seat open for this election.
Aaron Connor
Democratic Party
Why are you running?
After the election of 2016 I had a hard time recognizing the America that grew up in. I believe that our politics has become too tribal. I am searching for middle ground to work with people across the aisle to
address the issues that face our vital business community Being the son of two first responders service is in my DNA. I bring to the Assessor’s office 26 years combined Mortgage and Information Technology
experience. I currently work as a systems analyst for a mortgage company. I am also running because I believe that I can win and bring positive change to the community I love.
Top 3 issues you would like to focus on:
- Transparency—The first year I am elected I will go to every major city in Maricopa County to hold town halls with the public to educate them on the importance of the assessor’s office. I will also hold listening sessions with each city’s chamber to make sure their needs are being met.
- Fair and Accurate Assessment – I will make sure that every property taxpayer and business in Maricopa County has a fair and accurate assessment. I will hire more Assessor’s to go out and assess property.
- Technology—Streamline business practices with better technology. Make sure that the multi-million-dollar MARS project is released successfully.
How will your campaign embody the values of the Chandler Chamber?
By making sure commercial property is access fairly and accurately I am embracing Chandler’s Chambers commitment to business prosperity
How will the Chamber’s endorsement help you in the race?
I will give me the seal of approval from an organization that is respected throughout Maricopa County. It will also tell voters that my campaign shares the same values of business and personal prosperity.
Eddie Cook
Republican Party / Incumbent
Why are you running?
After being appointed the Maricopa County Assessor, it became very clear to me how structurally a mess the Assessor's office was left after the previous Assessor. As the Assessor, I bring executive business leadership and executing to transform a multi-million dollar business into a high-performance and efficient team incorporating best-in-class business practices while providing the highest quality of service at the lowest cost to the taxpayer. My professional business leadership IT background is a vital asset in modernizing and restoring a business-critical software project that is 5-years overdue. I'm returning public trust and integrity back to the Assessor's office while creating a "One Team" culture focused on collaboration, transparency and effectiveness.
Top 3 issues you would like to focus on (?):
1. Transform the Assessor's Office to operate as a high-performance, efficient, and effective team incorporating best-in-class business practices while providing the highest quality of service at the lowest cost to the taxpayer.
2. Uphold and execute the Arizona Constitution and Statutes that dictates how taxable property valuations are truly and fairly determined without favor or partiality.
3. Modernized and restore the MARS software project that is
5-years overdue. This is a mission-critical business application used at the Assessor’s office.
How will your campaign embody the values of the Chandler Chamber?
I have served on the Gilbert Town Council for 9 years advocating for the success of businesses. A primary focus was economic development for all businesses both in Gilbert and the region. I lead numerous policies that removed many of the unnecessary regulations and fees that helped business owners reach their highest potential. Those results have been clearly recognized in the region. Chandler is like the big brother/sister to Gilbert with very similar economic business values. The Assessor’s office deliverable impacts services for public safety, education, infrastructure, parks and more that focuses on “Building Community”.
How will the Chamber’s endorsement help you in the race?
I would be very honored to receive the endorsement from the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. The Chandler business community will know they have an authentic business advocate in the Assessor’s office. I would sincerely welcome the support of the Chandler business community as we partner together to retain me as the Maricopa County Assessor.
Rodney Glassman
Republican Party
Why are you running?
With my background in real estate, the law and finance, I was asked by the current Maricopa County Treasurer to run for County Assessor. Having served as Acting Town Manager of Cave Creek, I am the only candidate running for Assessor with high-level professional experience in real estate, law, business or public administration background.
Top 3 issues you would like to focus on:
- Work to make sure the property values move as closely as possible with the market (aka. do not just increase property values based on the statutory max but do whatever possible to keep values accurate and moving the market (aka. not just rubber stamp.)
- Create programs to educate property owners (and business owners) on how their property taxes are calculated and how to understand valuation and the impact of local tax rates on their property bills as well as how to get questions answered.
- Develop tools to make property tax value protests as EASY as possible. In 2019 there were roughly 3,000 challenges for 1.4 valuations and nearly 2,000 were simply classification challenges. That means taxpayers do not understand the process and it should be MORE accessible.
All three issues will benefit property owners and business people. The Assessor office should not just be a rubber stamp for increasing values (and therefore taxes) every year.
How will your campaign embody the values of the Chandler Chamber?
The vision of the Chandler Chamber is to be acclaimed as a leader and catalyst to facilitate business prosperity and foster a premier community.
My campaign for Maricopa County Assessor has raised more than $320,000 from homeowners and business owners in the Valley because I too have built a reputation for serving as a community catalyst and advocate for facilitating a stronger community. The chair of my campaign is the founder/broker for Commercial Properties incorporated, one of Maricopa County’s most broad-reaching, locally owner real estate brokerage firms, and I have received the financial support of business and community leaders across the Valley because of my work through the Boy Scouts, legal community, United States Air Force, and Jewish community.
How will the Chamber’s endorsement help you in the race?
Along with the CEO’s of businesses like Hickman’s Family Farms, Brewer Companies & Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Sunbelt Holdings, and Chapman Automotive, an endorsement from the Chandler Chamber would be another statement to the voice of the business community I will take to the Maricopa County Assessor’s office.