On Monday, Governor Katie Hobbs sent a letter to Senate President Warren Petersen informing him that she is withdrawing her nomination of Martín Quezada to the position of Director for the Registrar of Contractors (ROC), effective immediately.
In May, the Senate Committee on Director Nominations rejected Quezada, a failed Treasurer candidate and former State Senator. Quezada joins a growing list of rejected Hobbs appointees.
Concerning information came to light about Mr. Quezada during the May 31st hearing, which led to the recommendation of rejection, including his frequent comments and behaviors supporting antisemitism, racism, and his intolerance for individuals based on skin color, gender, religion and political affiliation.
Legislators were also concerned by Quezada’s long legislative voting history against small businesses, which was the very community he would have been tasked with serving.
Quezada’s rejection followed public outrage over the nomination by members of the Jewish community due to his antisemitic rhetoric and support for the BDS movement.
The Arizona Senate must soundly reject the nomination of Martín Quezada as the director of the RoC. He has demonstrated, in his political career a consistent, radical anti-Jewish viewpoint. He is one of this state’s BDS leaders. Such bigotry has no place in any administration. pic.twitter.com/pZ3yBNfZjZ
— Adam Kwasman (@AdamKwasman) May 31, 2023
“The Arizona Senate must soundly reject the nomination of Martín Quezada as the director of the RoC (Registrar of Contractors). He has demonstrated, in his political career a consistent, radical anti-Jewish viewpoint. He is one of this state’s BDS leaders. Such bigotry has no place in any administration,” tweeted former Arizona State Rep. Adam Kwasman at the time.
“Mr. Quezada’s nomination is a prime example of why the Senate Committee on Director Nominations is crucial to ensuring only the most highly qualified candidates will serve as leaders of our critically important state agencies, which impact the safety, health and livelihoods of all Arizona citizens,” said Committee Chair Senator Jake Hoffman. “Through our thorough vetting process, we’ve been able to weed out inappropriate partisan appointments by Katie Hobbs, like Mr. Quezada, while also identifying experienced, accomplished, professional and highly qualified nominees such as Ms. Susan Nicolson for the Department of Real Estate and Mr. Ryan Thornell for the Department of Corrections. Our committee is committed to protecting the public by conducting our due diligence in evaluating these potential state agency leaders.”
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