PHOENIX — Maricopa County has hired C.J. Karamargin, a former journalist who has spoken for elected leaders of both parties, as its new Director of Communications, according to a county news release.
Karamargin began work at the county on Monday, Nov. 9, the release said. He will serve as a principal spokesperson for county leadership, including the elected Board of Supervisors, and will lead the central Office of Communications for the nation’s fourth most populous county.
“C.J. has the right experience and temperament for the job,” County Manager Jen Pokorski said in the release. “He knows how to communicate complex issues clearly, build relationships with the media, and help residents understand the work of their government.”
Before taking the county job, Karamargin served as a senior advisor and earlier as district director to U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, according to the county.
He was communications director for Gov. Doug Ducey from November 2020 through the end of 2022, and held roles from 2015 to 2018 in the offices of then-U.S. Rep. and later Sen. Martha McSally, the release said. From 2011 to 2015 he led public information and media relations for Pima Community College.
Karamargin also served as communications director for former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords from 2007 to 2011, including during the aftermath of the 2011 Tucson mass shooting that nearly took her life, the county said. Before that, his 15-year journalism career included covering politics for the Arizona Daily Star and the Tucson Citizen.
“I’m excited to expand on the great work that’s already being done to share information about the county’s award-winning programs and services,” Karamargin said in the release.
Sources: Maricopa County news release. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Zeb Micelli / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.
