Six Contenders Battle for CAP Board Position to Represent County

Maricopa County voters will have important decisions to make this November, including an election for the Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD), responsible for water regulation in the region.

A total of six candidates are vying for five seats on the 15-member board, which oversees policy, rates, and taxes related to the Central Arizona Project, a crucial water supply network that transports Colorado River water to communities in Arizona. Four incumbents aim to maintain their positions, while two challengers seek to disrupt their tenure.

The board comprises ten members elected from Maricopa County, four from Pima, and one from Pinal, with Maricopa seats up for grabs in this election.

Though the board operates nonpartisan, candidates often express party affiliations during campaigns. Members serve six-year terms and convene publicly at least once a month, tackling significant water issues in the state.

The CAWCD plays a pivotal role in ongoing negotiations for fair water distribution among states reliant on Colorado River water. As the current agreement expires in 2026, the elected officials will be instrumental in shaping future policies.

Alex Arboleda, a sitting CAWCD board member, emphasized the urgency of this election. “It’s crucial that Arizonans understand our Colorado River supplies and that we manage and conserve water effectively for future reliability,” she asserted.

Arboleda acknowledged that many voters are unaware of the CAWCD’s significance, yet urged them to focus on water management, especially given the unprecedented drought facing the Colorado River system.

Introducing the candidates:

April Pinger-Tornquist

Pinger-Tornquist joined the CAWCD board in 2018, leveraging her engineering background and consulting firm experience to inform her approach.

Heather Macre

Macre has served on the CAWCD board since 2012 and is an attorney at Fennemore in Phoenix, where she specializes in business litigation. Her involvement in water conservation negotiations has been pivotal during her tenure.

Terry Goddard

Currently serving as CAWCD board president, Goddard has been a member since 2012. With extensive public service experience, including a term as Arizona’s attorney general, he brings seasoned leadership to the board.

Lisa Atkins

Atkins has been a board member since 2003 and has held various leadership roles, including that of board president. Her background includes significant public service and advocacy roles.

Rudy Fischer

Fischer, a former city council member and water board member in California, has now relocated to Scottsdale. He is campaigning alongside incumbents, focusing on lower taxes and responsible regional growth.

Brian Biesemeyer

Recently announcing his retirement as the executive director of Scottsdale Water Department, Biesemeyer is an environmental engineer and veteran advocating for efficient water resource management and fair allocation of river resources.