Who is Rachel Mitchell? Meet the Republican sex crimes prosecutor tasked with interviewing Kavanaugh accuser Christine Ford

The Arizona prosecutor will spearhead one of the most historic Supreme Court nomination hearings in history

Senate Republicans have tapped Rachel Mitchell to interview both Brett Kavanaugh and Dr Christine Blasey Ford ahead of a historic Supreme Court nomination hearing.

The career sex crimes prosecutor was selected for the high-profile questioning due to her objectivity and respect in the field, according to Chuck Grassley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Ms Mitchell has been tasked with spearheading the committee’s efforts to uncover the truth behind sexual assault allegations against Mr Kavanaugh, Donald Trump’s embattled Supreme Court nominee.

Ms Mitchell was expected to ask Ms Ford about her account of a night from over 36 years ago in which she said Mr Kavanaugh assaulted her at a small party the two had attended in high school. Since Ms Ford came forward, two other women have also alleged Mr Kavanaugh was involved in acts of sexual misconduct, while the nominee has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

As the Senate Judiciary Committee prepares to hear Ms Mitchell interview both Mr Kavanaugh and Ms Ford, here is everything you need to know about the Arizona prosecutor.

Who is Rachel Mitchell?

Ms Mitchell, a registered Republican, works in the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in Phoenix, Arizona as the chief of the Special Victims Division.

Her work includes supervising attorneys who handle cases involving child molestation, sexual assault and computer crimes against children in Arizona’s most populous county.

Ms Mitchell “has been recognised in the legal community for her experience and objectivity,” Mr Grassley said.

What experience does she have prosecuting sex crimes?

In July 2014, Ms Mitchell prosecuted a former church baby sitter and camp counsellor in the Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale who molested children in his care over a seven-year period. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison with lifetime probation.

“People want to go to a church on a Sunday and feel safe,” Ms Mitchell said at the time, adding that the settings of his actions “should be taken into account”.

In 2015, Ms Mitchell prosecuted a 13-year veteran of the Mesa Police Department who groped two women, one of whom had passed out.

Will she be an objective interviewer?

There’s no telling how the arguably unprecedented event will go down on Thursday, as members of the all-male committee take a back seat and allow a female prosecutor to assist in questioning an alleged sexual assault survivor and the man behind her allegations.

However, numerous sources throughout Ms Mitchell’s career have expressed support for the sex crimes prosecutor as someone capable of handling cases with total objectivity.

“I remember her being so supportive of the sex abuse victims,” Joseph Reaves, a former reporter for the Arizona Republic who covered the Phoenix Diocese sex scandal, told the Washington Post. “To find out that she was going to be the person to question a sex abuse victim on behalf of the GOP — I was taken aback.”

Other colleagues of Ms Mitchell echoed similar statements of support.

“She’s been a longtime sex crimes prosecutor. She’s clearly competent,” Rick Romley, a former Maricopa County attorney, told the Arizona Republic.

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, Ms Mitchell’s boss, praised her experience in an interview with the Arizona Republic, calling her an “objective prosecutor” who has a “caring heart” for victims. He said he was contacted by staff members of the Judiciary Committee over the weekend about Mitchell’s qualifications.

The Associated Press contributed to this report