Republican candidate for Arizona treasurer Katherine Haley told members of the Sun City West Republican Club that protecting taxpayer dollars through conservative financial management would be her top priority if elected.

Haley, who addressed the club during its July 11 meeting at Church on the Green, said she entered the race at the encouragement of current State Treasurer Kimberly Yee, who endorsed her campaign.

“You need someone who every single day is going to have you in mind, Arizona taxpayers,” Haley said.

If elected, Haley said one of her priorities would be keeping the state’s investment management in-house rather than contracting with outside firms, arguing that approach better protects taxpayer interests and ensures investments align with what she called “Arizona values.”

Haley also emphasized what she described as the limited constitutional role of the state treasurer, saying the office is responsible for managing state funds, not conducting broad audits of government agencies.

“For anyone to say, ‘I’m going to do a massive DOGE-style audit,’ that is not the role of the treasurer,” Haley said. “The role of the treasurer is to manage and steward your taxpayer dollars.”

Conducting an audit is something Haley’s Republican primary opponent, Elijah Norton, has said he would do if elected state treasurer.

Haley also warned that poor investment decisions could ultimately cost taxpayers.

“If we have someone that’s making a big bet, and we can’t pay our bills, the only way that we can resolve that is to ask more of you, more taxes,” she said.

Haley highlighted her experience as president of the Arizona State Board of Education, where she said she helped oversee financial accountability in public schools. She also pledged to defend Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account Program.

In response to audience questions, Haley contrasted her qualifications with Norton’s, saying her background includes congressional service, nonprofit and philanthropic leadership, and operating a consulting business that advises organizations on long-term financial planning.

Haley also leveled several criticisms at Norton. She alleged that he opposed legislation to keep management of local government investment pools in-house and said allies of his unsuccessfully challenged thousands of her nominating petition signatures.

Haley also claimed Norton targeted members of her campaign on social media, saying he called two of her campaign staff “the scum of the earth” on X and wrote, “I cannot wait to sue them, six to seven figure judgements.”

Primary Election Day is July 21.