Odds & Ends To The Week

*A scandal is brewing for one elected official in the Northeast Valley
*Downtown Scottsdale businessman and activist Bill Crawford has formed an exploratory committee to run for Scottsdale Mayor
*Good news.  Scottsdale City Manager Fritz Behring has been on medical leave for months but has been visiting City Hall and events about town much more lately.  A date for his full-time return is still uncertain.
*Superman vs. Batman.  Godzilla vs. King Kong.  Nurses vs. Doctors.  The latter battle is as epic in its own way and playing out now at the Arizona State Capitol.
*Love bites.  APS may be sinking its fangs into likely Arizona Corporation Commission candidate and current State Representative Rick Gray
*Early voting starts in less than a month for Arizona’ presidential primary March 22nd
*Mary Hamway will start a prohibitive favorite in her next run for the Arizona State Legislature
*Creating a monster. No, not Donald Trump.  But his new campaign chairman for Arizona Jeff Dewitt who also serves as the Arizona State Treasurer.
*David Bowie recently passed away but songs like “Let’s Dance” will live on forever.  And the political dance between Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich and State Secretary of State Michele Reagan will be one of the most interesting over the next many years as they circle each other for the competition to succeed Governor Doug Ducey.  That’s unless Congressman David Schweikert wants to Grand Old Party likes its 2022.
*Speaking of long-range planning look for an announcement soon from former Phoenix City Councilman Tom Simplot on his plans to run for Mayor in 2019.
*Sheriff Arpaio’s endorsement provided rocket fuel for Doug Ducey’s primary campaign in 2014.  It will likely mean the same for Donald Trump in Arizona for the upcoming primary creating a titanium block of voters that will be hard for any candidate to overcome if the field hasn’t narrowed substantially.