Cody Reim. Photo Credit: Arizona Republic
If the name Cody Reim doesn’t ring a bell, you’re not alone. The Rio Verde Foothills small business owner wasn’t exactly a fixture of Scottsdale-area political circles before this week. But as of Tuesday, he’s your state representative.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appointed Reim to fill the Arizona House vacancy in Legislative District 3, created when Joseph Chaplik resigned to run for Congress. The board’s vote was unanimous, 5-0, and Reim was sworn in shortly after.
So who is he? Reim is a political newcomer who lives with his family in Rio Verde Foothills, where water supply issues have been front and center for several years. He became one of the most outspoken advocates for finding a long-term, reliable water source for the community after Scottsdale announced it would shut off trucked water to the unincorporated area at the end of 2022 due to drought concerns, leaving residents scrambling for new sources. That grassroots advocacy, not a political résumé, is what got him here.
Supervisor Thomas Galvin, who nominated Reim, called him “a principled leader who has proven he will stand up and fight for his community” and “a bridge builder and consensus maker.” Water policy figures to be his top priority in the Legislature, as Arizona continues negotiations over Colorado River water allocations, which account for around 36% of the state’s water supply.
The more interesting storyline, though, may be what this appointment sets up for the November election. Both Reim and fellow nominee George Khalaf, a political consultant who actually received the most votes from precinct committeemen, are running for a full term in LD3’s two House seats. Incumbent Rep. Alexander Kolodin is not seeking re-election, as he’s running for Secretary of State, joining Chaplik in leaving his seat in pursuit of higher office. That means the Republican primary will likely feature Reim and Khalaf competing for the same two seats (if not others), with Reim now carrying the incumbent label and all the name recognition and fundraising advantages that come with it. That said, there is room for two.
George Khalaf. Photo Credit: Facebook
Supervisor Galvin said he hopes and expects both Reim and Khalaf to be in the state House in 2027: a collegial sentiment, but the voters will have the final say. For a district that covers much of northeast Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, and Cave Creek, the district leans red, but in a potential blue wave year this race just got a lot more interesting.