Willoughby originally ran for office in 2018 and lost in the primary to Jeff Weninger and J.D. Mesnard's mother, Nora Ellen.[5][6] Four years later, in 2022, she ran again and won the Republican primary election alongside Liz Harris.[7] Willoughby would go on to lose the general election, placing third to Harris and Jennifer Pawlik. After Harris was expelled from the Arizona House of Representatives, Willoughby was one of three names submitted to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to be appointed to replace Harris.[8] In a 4–1 vote, the Board of Supervisors selected Willoughby and she was sworn in the same day. [9] Willoughby is running for the seat in 2024.[10]
^Arcand, Cameron (5 May 2023). "Maricopa County Board chooses replacement for expelled Republican lawmaker". The Center Square Arizona. Retrieved 5 May 2023. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appointed Julie Willoughby on Friday morning to fill the vacancy of expelled Republican Rep. Liz Harris. Willoughby was sworn in shortly after