Housing Advocate’s Senate Bid Falls Flat

In a significant political move, the Senate voted to reject Joan Serviss’s nomination as head of the Department of Housing on Tuesday, with the decision falling strictly along party lines. This outcome comes in spite of strong support from Governor Katie Hobbs, who reiterated her backing for Serviss following the vote.

Senate Republicans expressed their disapproval, citing a troubling Auditor General report and criticisms from Serviss’s initial confirmation hearing in 2023. Senate President Warren Petersen stated, “The Senate could not confirm this Director in good conscience due to the disturbing fraud, waste and abuse that occurred under her watch.”

He further accused the governor of being “stubbornly committed” to a nominee who failed to demonstrate adequate concern for taxpayer interests. Just last week, Senate Republican leaders had already called for Serviss’s resignation in anticipation of this vote.

Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, chair of the Director Nominations Committee, defended the decision to suspend Senate rules for a vote, arguing that the committee had gathered sufficient information to deem Serviss unqualified. “There is absolutely no need to hold another confirmation hearing,” he affirmed, referring to the previous evaluations of her qualifications.

As the vote approached, Hobbs’s office attempted to bolster Serviss’s position by releasing a summary of her achievements and showcasing support from 59 bipartisan leaders. “When I became Governor, I nominated Director Serviss to steer Arizona’s housing efforts amid unprecedented cost increases,” Hobbs stated, asserting that Serviss remains the best candidate for the role.

Democrats in the Senate rallied around Serviss, framing the rejection as a purely partisan maneuver. Sen. Flavio Bravo underscored her qualifications, emphasizing her commitment to enhancing housing conditions in Arizona over the past two years. “Support for Director Serviss remains widespread and bipartisan,” he commented.

However, dissenting voices emerged. Sen. Lauren Kuby, D-Tempe, condemned the Republicans’ actions, suggesting that political disagreements were primarily driving their decision to block the nomination. She stressed the need for rigor in vetting candidates but decried the use of political leverage against the governor’s choices.

Senate Republicans pointed to a specific instance of financial misconduct. An Auditor General report indicated that Serviss’s department had inadvertently wired $2 million in state funds to fraudsters. Serviss maintained during hearings that safeguards were put in place to recover those funds.

This nomination process has been fraught with political tension since Hobbs’s initial term. In 2023, Republican opposition led to the formation of the Director Nominations Committee, or DINO, specifically to scrutinize Hobbs’s nominees. Following DINO’s rejection of several nominees, Hobbs re-designated the remaining candidates as “executive deputy directors,” which sparked legal disputes over their appointments.

Despite the obstacles faced by Serviss, proponents of her nomination remain optimistic. They believe her support network among community members can help bolster future efforts for her appointment.

As for Hobbs, her office has yet to disclose any immediate plans regarding her next steps following Serviss’s rejection. The political landscape surrounding her appointments may continue to evolve as tensions between the governor’s office and Senate Republicans persist.