Phoenix mayoral election, 2011

Phoenix, Arizona mayoral election, 2011

August 30, 2011
→ 2015

The Phoenix, Arizona mayoral election, 2011 was held in a two-round system on August 30, 2011, and November 8, 2011. Greg Stanton, a former city councilman, was elected over Wes Gullett, and will take office on January 3, 2012, succeeding Phil Gordon, who has held the office of Mayor of Phoenix since 2004.[1][2] The election coinded with the Phoenix City Council elections to the four odd-numbered districts (1, 3, 5, 7).[3]

Contents

Background

Due to the City of Phoenix's limit of two four-year terms,[4] current Mayor Phil Gordon is ineligible to run for mayor again. As all municipal elections in the City of Phoenix are nonpartisan, the political affiliations of the respective candidates are not present on the ballot paper. In addition, the race is widely regarded as very competitive compared to previous elections, as the last three incumbent mayors ran with little to no opposition.[5]

Candidates

All candidates had to at least 1500 signatures to appear on the August 30 ballot. The city clerk reviewed the signatures and candidates with enough valid signatures appeared on the ballot; the City Clerk had until June 11 at the latest to review all candidates' signatures.[6][7][8] Thane Eichenauer failed to collect enough signatures to formally appear on the ballot, but says that he will run a write-in campaign.[7][8]

The following candidate collected enough signatures to appear on the ballot:[9]

Campaign

District 11 Mayoral Forum

On Tuesday, May 10, 2011, the Arizona Legislative District 11 Republican Party invited Republican candidates Peggy Neely, Wes Gullett, Claude Mattox, and Jennifer Wright to a mayoral forum.[16] All but Mattox attended,[17] a Mattox campaign staff member claiming she never received an e-mail of details of the event.[16]

In reaction to the snub, Democratic candidate Greg Stanton said that if a Democratic-sponsored mayoral forum was held, he would not attend if Republicans were excluded.[16]

Fundraising

Cash on hand As of 12/31/10[9]

Polling

Stanton vs. Gullett vs. Mattox vs. Neely, Motorola Group 01/24/11-01/28/11 [9]

Debates

April 4 debate

Candidates Thane Eichenauer, Wes Gullett, Claude Mattox and Greg Stanton attended the first debate of the campaign.[18] Issues covered included public safety, economic development, education, and the issues of the LGBT community. They addressed the status of Public Safety Manager Jack Harris-who was suspended from overseeing the Phoenix Police Department- and the city's subsidy deal with CityNorth developers, a project that garnered the City of Phoenix a lawsuit over their alleged violation of the gift clause of the Arizona Constitution.[2]
The debate, sponsored by LGBT-rights organization Equality Arizona, saw all candidates claim that they believed in the rights of the gay and lesbian population of Phoenix, with Greg Stanton appearing the most supportive of gay rights, saying "I support equality" when asked if gay and lesbian partnerships should be recognized by the government.

April 19 debate

Phoenix College held the second mayoral forum of the race, with the same four candidates as the first.[19] However, in this debate, Mayoral hopefuls were asked to share their partisan affiliation. Eichenauer said he has became a Libertarian when he was a student, Claude Mattox told the crowd that he has been a Republican since he moved to Arizona. Gullett claimed to have been a registered Republican since the 1980s, but supported Janet Napolitano's bid for Governor; meanwhile, Greg Stanton won applause from the liberal-leaning audience when he responded, "I'm a Democrat and have always been a Democrat".[19]
Wes Gullett promised visiting the top 25 businesses of the city within his first 100 days, whilst Greg Stanton pledged more accountability and transparency in government.[19]

May 3 debate

Watchdog group Citizens for Phoenix held the third debate,[20][21] this time with one additional candidate, Peggy Neely.[20] The five squared off over renewable energy, community policing, education, impact fees, tax incentives for economic development, and public arts funding.

Results

Threshold > 50%

First ballot, August 30, 2011[22]

Candidate Affiliation Support Outcome
Greg Stanton Democratic 53,553 (37.9%) Runoff
Wes Gullett Republican 29,020 (20.5%) Runoff
Peggy Neely Republican 17,984 (12.7%) Defeated
Claude Mattox Republican 16,842 (12%) Defeated
Jennifer Wright Republican 16,739 (11.9%) Defeated
Anna Brennan Republican 7,110 (5%) Defeated
Others various 52 Defeated

Second ballot, November 8, 2011[1]

Candidate Affiliation Support Outcome
Greg Stanton Democratic 56% Elected
Wes Gullett Republican 43% Defeated

References

  1. ^ a b http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2011/11/08/20111108phoenix-mayor-election-stanton-gullett.html
  2. ^ a b Bui, Lynh (April 4, 2011). "Candidates for Phoenix mayor hold debate - Arizona News from". The Arizona Republic. http://tucsoncitizen.com/arizona-news/2011/04/04/candidates-for-phoenix-mayor-hold-debate/. Retrieved August 8, 2011. 
  3. ^ Who Are the Mayor and City Council and How Are They Elected?
  4. ^ Electing The Mayor And Council For The City Of Phoenix
  5. ^ Phoenix mayoral election
  6. ^ "Important Dates: 2011 City of Phoenix Elections". phoenix.gov. http://phoenix.gov/election/refdates.html. 
  7. ^ a b Bui, Lynh (June 1, 2011). "Four more mayoral candidates turn in signatures for the ballot". The Arizona Republic. http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PHXBeat/129988. Retrieved August 8, 2011. 
  8. ^ a b Bui, Lynh (June 3, 2011). "Several file to seek Phoenix mayor job".". The Arizona Republic. http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2011/06/03/20110603phoenix-mayor-job-candidates.html. Retrieved August 8, 2011. 
  9. ^ a b c Our Campaigns - Mayor - Phoenix, AZ Primary Race - Aug 30, 2011
  10. ^ Phoenix mayoral election
  11. ^ Official Site of the City of Phoenix - Mayor & Council
  12. ^ Phoenix mayoral election
  13. ^ Phoenix mayoral election
  14. ^ "Meet Greg | Stanton for Mayor. http://www.gregstantonformayor.com/meet-greg/. Fourth paragraph. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  15. ^ Phoenix mayoral election
  16. ^ a b c Alonzo, Monica (Wed., May 11, 2011). "Phoenix Republicans Snub Lone Democrat in Mayors Race; Candidate Greg Stanton Gets No Invite to Mayoral Forum". Phoenix New Times. http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2011/05/north_phoenix_republicans_snub.php. 
  17. ^ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arizona-Legislative-District-11-Republicans-LD11GOP/117545778258344
  18. ^ 4 Phoenix mayoral candidates tackle topics at debate
  19. ^ a b c Voters want less rhetoric, more ideas from candidates
  20. ^ a b 5 Phoenix mayoral candidates debate - National News from USA Today and Gannett
  21. ^ Phoenix Mayoral Candidate Debate Results for May 3 2011
  22. ^ Source: Website of the City of Phoenix (First round)

External links

Candidate web sites