Maria Syms

Maria Syms is a 14-year resident of LD 28, mother of three, Assistant Attorney General, Paradise Valley Town Councilwoman, and a former Assistant United States Attorney. Through her work as an attorney and senior advisor to the Attorney General, Syms has pushed for state legislation and policies to promote small business and job growth, encourage the free market and keep more money in the pockets of hard working Arizona families. As a Town Councilwoman, Syms consistently stands against government "tax because we can" policies and wasteful spending. The daughter of an Italian immigrant, Syms personally understands that quality education is the great equalizer in our country and is the key to opportunity for our next generation. Having served on a local school board and as a mother of young children in public schools in LD 28, Syms is personally committed to maximizing the resources in Arizona classrooms so that educators and students have the best opportunity to succeed. As an Assistant Attorney General, Syms works with Arizona sheriffs on border security, drug smuggling and human trafficking. Syms also serves as the Attorney General designee along with state legislators, agency directors, law enforcement and other stakeholders on the Governor's Arizona Substance Abuse Partnership and the Governor's Sexual Assault Kit Testing Task Force. Syms provides legal assistance to the National Victims' Constitutional Amendment Network, an entity dedicated to protecting victims' rights in the criminal justice system. As a Town Councilmember in LD28, Syms has been on the forefront of highlighting public safety issues and advocating for police manpower and resources to keep our community safe. Syms currently serves as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Public Safety to the Paradise Valley Town Council so that the security of our residents remains a priority. Syms was raised in a small town on Long Island. Her father grew up in post-war poverty in Italy and came to this country to achieve his American dream. Syms' mother was a dedicated teacher, who taught her the value of education in helping others and improving the community. Syms graduated from Smith College and American University law school in Washington, D.C., and she served as a Staff Attorney and Law Clerk to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. In her years in private practice, Syms represented clients ranging from small businesses to multinational corporations. Syms also served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Justice Department, Adjunct Professor of Law at ASU Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law, and holds a Master in Public Administration from Harvard. Syms has been married for 18 years to physician Mark Syms, who inspires her with his lifelong commitment to healing others. They love and adore their three smart, dynamic and fun children, Matthew, Meredith and Marinna along with their dog Maizie.