FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Senator Wadsack Continues
to Fight for
Southern Arizona
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Today, Senator Justine Wadsack took a stand for legislative district 17 when she voted against confirming Dr. Theresa Ann Cullen, the unqualified nominee that the Governor had put forward as Director for the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Dr. Cullen's mismanagement of the COVID-19 outbreak while serving as Pima County's Health Director was finally revealed last week, when the Senate conducted its first Committee on Director Nominations.
"When I decided to run for the Senate and represent Legislative District 17, I had one objective in mind: to improve and ease the lives of my constituents while protecting their constitutional right to freedom," said Senator Wadsack. "The hearing last week brought back memories of the terror we endured during the pandemic in Pima County. I recognize that there were uncertainties and can appreciate what she was attempting to achieve, but her actions indicate otherwise. Dr. Cullen disregarded data and suggestions from state officials."
Senator Wadsack added, "Governor Hobbs, I hope you are reading this, so I can share some of my own data. While Dr. Cullen was attempting to destroy Pima County residents' lives single-handedly, I helped more than 3,000 medical and Raytheon employees keep their jobs through Religious Exemption Forms. Furthermore, I taught parents their rights to hold their school boards and the Pima County Health Department accountable, so that their children could remain in school. I did so in the name of individual liberty and state allegiance."
However, while the Senate voted today to reject Dr. Cullen as the next Director of the Department of Health Services, Governor Hobbs and Dr. Cullen conspired behind closed doors to keep Dr. Cullen as the Pima County Health Director.
"This is so dangerous, as Dr. Cullen has a history of failures, such as imposing curfews that cost thousands of Arizonans their jobs, while she received a taxpayer-funded salary of $200,000. Dr. Cullen is not qualified to hold such critical positions like these," said Senator Wadsack.
"The people of Pima County have spoken. They wanted me to vote NO today. I am here to represent my constituents and district. The consequences of Dr. Cullen's decisions fell primarily on my constituents. I am so profoundly disappointed in Governor Hobbs. I want to believe that, despite our divergent beliefs, we will work together to improve the quality of life for Arizonans. My office door is always open to discuss your nominees and my district," said Senator Wadsack.
Senator Wadsack is calling on Governor Hobbs to conduct extensive and thorough research on potential candidates and nominate only those with a proven track record of success, as well as a solid grasp of Arizonans' concerns.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus kquintero@azleg.gov