The Artist to Set Stage Ablaze Alongside All-Star Lineup of All-Day DJ’s as Relentless Beats Presents The Casa Amigos Day Club Powered by NÜTRL

Get your tickets now for what promises to be the biggest concert ever at the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships: Presented by Gila River Resorts & Casinos on Saturday, October 26^th at WestWorld of Scottsdale. 

For the first time an all-star all-day roster of musical acts will bring a new vibe to this iconic Scottsdale event. Relentless Beats is proud to present DJ Jai Wolf in The Casa Amigos Day Club Powered by NÜTRL. Known as a force behind astral-indie dance anthems like “Indian Summer” and “Starlight” and the indie-dance party album “The Cure to Loneliness,” legendary musical act Jai Wolf will bring his signature sound and headline the Scottsdale Polo Party.

Born in Bangladesh and raised in New York City, the artist also known as Sajeeb Saha draws inspiration from a diverse range of genres, blending indie-punk, hip-hop, orchestral symphonies and Bollywood classics in a distinctive musical style unlike any other in the industry. Set to perform from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wolf’s set will serve as the perfect backdrop for the world’s most attended polo event.

Wolf has performed at an impressive list of festivals and venues including Coachella, Bonnaroo, Hard Summer and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

“Jai Wolf’s energy is a perfect match for this event and the Casa Amigos Day Club. His unique sound will bring a fresh new dynamic to the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships,” said Casa Amigos General Manager and Partner Andrew Young.

Casa Amigos is joining the Scottsdale Polo Party as a first-time sponsor for the Day Club.

“NÜTRL is thrilled to have Jai as part of this lineup and can’t wait to see how he elevates the experience and adds a new layer of excitement to the festivities,” said Hensley Beverage Marketing Manager Veronica Herrera.

In addition to Jai Wolf’s highly anticipated performance, an all-star lineup of some of the hottest names in the game will set the vibes throughout the day with performances by:

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships to bring a new level of entertainment to the event. We have an exciting lineup of talent programmed from the morning into the evening, with a headlining performance from the multi-talented DJ and producer Jai Wolf at sunset,” said Relentless Beats Founder Thomas Turner.

All the music and concerts are included in the ticket price for the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships. Visit www.thepoloparty.com to reserve your ticket.

Presented by Gila River Resorts and Casinos, this year’s 13^th-annual Scottsdale Polo Party will also include a new “Polo After Dark” element in partnership with the City of Scottsdale. With gates opening at 10am, fans will now have the opportunity to enjoy music alongside polo during day and brand new for 2024, fans are invited to stay for Music and Polo After Dark. 

Enjoy five polo matches featuring Star USA Polo Player Nic Roldan, plus fashion shows, exotic car and equestrian displays, an elegant Dinner Under the Stars and the highly anticipated party tent which is the The Casa Amigos Day Club Powered by NÜTRL. Fans will also enjoy the return of the Grimaldi’s Pizzeria Bistro, among other exclusive attractions and VIP tents.

Gates open at 10a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and tickets are available at ThePoloParty.com. For sponsorships or general inquiries, visit ThePoloParty.com, email info@thepoloparty.com or call (480) 423-1414 Ext. 6.

Greenlight Communities, the Valley developer building brand-new budget-conscious communities, is excited to announce the opening of their new Streamliner community at 16th Street and Polk Road in Phoenix.

The second Streamliner to begin leasing, Streamliner 16th represents a new wave of attainable housing communities under the Streamliner brand developed by Greenlight Communities.

Streamliner 16th is a joint-venture with Stockbridge, a private equity real estate investment management firm.

Streamliner 16th is open for tours and leasing with move-ins starting September 15th. Rents at Greenlight’s 208-unit community start at $1099 per month. Streamliner amenities include a 24-hour fitness and co-work space with Wi-Fi access, pool, outdoor BBQ’s, multipurpose event lawn,
indoor bike storage, and controlled access.

Streamliner 16th is strategically located near I-10 and AZ-51, a choice deliberately made by Greenlight Communities. The builder searches Phoenix and Tucson for underutilized sites near highways, employment hubs, and areas often overlooked by other developers. With efficient designs that streamline the permitting and construction process, an in-house civil engineering firm, and agile teams that quickly address challenges, Greenlight Communities reduces both time and costs—savings that are then passed on to the public.

Greenlight has successfully delivered over 4,000 units across The Valley and Tucson, focusing on creating attainable communities for middle-income families while offering desirable amenities in great locations.

“Our mission is to provide high-quality apartments in locations that residents can be proud of—without the high cost,” said Greenlight Communities Co-Founder Patricia Watts. “Streamliner 16th offers easy access to highways, Downtown Phoenix, and a wide range of restaurants and entertainment options, all close to where our residents work. We’re excited to welcome new renters to find a home they’ll love here.”

Streamliner 16th is currently open for leasing. To learn more, visit www.streamliner16th.com.

Greenlight has additional communities leasing in Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson and Goodyear. For more information, visit www.livegreenlight.com.

A musical so smart, weird and timely — “Ghost of John McCain” is playing now through November 10th

Arizona political strategist and public relations executive Jason Rose, Businesswoman Lynn Londen, and longtime John McCain campaign consultant Max Fose, are proud to present Ghost of John McCain, an Arizona original musical, which makes its off-broadway debut tonight at the Soho Playhouse.

A book by Scott Elmegreen and a score by Drew Fornarola, Ghost of John McCain is set to begin performances tonight at the Soho Playhouse ahead of its official opening on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. The limited engagement will through November 10th, 2024.

The production recently announced that Zonya Love (“The Blacklist”) will play the newly written role of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Tonight on the first preview, it will mark the first confirmed debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump at the Soho Playhouse in New York City.

With direction by Catie Davis, Ghost of John McCain thrusts the late Senator into an afterlife he never expected when he finds that “heaven” is inside Trump’s brain. There, he encounters a “Greek Chorus” of iconic figures, including Hillary Clinton, Roy Cohn, Eva Perón, Teddy Roosevelt, Robert Jordan, Lindsey Graham, George W. Bush, Tiffany Trump, Grizabella from CATS, Barack Obama, Kanye West, Grant Woods, Elizabeth Warren, Taylor Swift, Joe Biden, Sarah Palin, Eric Trump, Clint Eastwood — and now Kamala Harris — who rebel against the former President’s relentless demands for affirmation.   

An uproarious exploration of power, rivalry, and the human condition, Ghost of John McCain is the ticket we need during the election cycle from hell. Ghost of John McCain was co-conceived by McCain’s first chief of staff and the late Arizona Attorney General, Grant Woods, eulogist at McCain’s service along with President Biden. 

Tickets are now available for purchase at www.sohoplayhouse.com or by phone at (212) 692-1555 beginning at 3pm each day.  

Painted Sky Park at Blossom Rock Officially Opens Plus Construction Goes Vertical on Iconic Community Center and Pool

The City of Apache Junction and Brookfield Properties Development the developer of master-planned communities Alamar, Eastmark and Blossom Rock, are excited to announce the completion of Painted Sky Park at Blossom Rock at Superstition Vistas in the East Valley. This is the City’s newest and largest park, marking a milestone as the first of its kind in the city’s history.

Located within the master-planned community of Blossom Rock at Superstition Vistas, the 16-acre Painted Sky Park is the first of three public community parks being planned and features a 1.5-acre lake with catch and release fishing, several shaded ramadas, and plenty of open lawn space. It also includes Miner’s Run – a 3.5-acre adventure playground with climbing structures, rope swings, and a climbing wall which will keep both kids and adults entertained for hours. Painted Sky Park extends across Blossom Rock Trail to the Ruff Ranch dog park which includes three separate areas for activity, agility, and socialization. It also includes bocce courts, cornhole, outdoor chess, and table tennis.

The first phases of Ironwood Park and Ridgeline Trail Park are also complete. Ridgeline Trail is located just north of Painted Sky Park and includes basketball courts. At completion these linear parks will provide connectivity within Blossom Rock and provide spaces for activities such as walking, jogging, and cycling.

Creation of these new amenities has been made possible through a public-private partnership between the City of Apache Junction and Brookfield Properties.

“Because parks and trails are essential for creating vibrant, healthy, and connected communities, we made certain in our early planning efforts that we thoughtfully included public amenities for all Apache Junction residents in addition to the neighborhood spaces created for the new residents of this region,” said Liz Langenbach, Parks and Recreation Director.

The completion of Pained Sky Park was celebrated on Monday, August 19, 2024, with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by key project partners, city officials, and local stakeholders. An official park grand opening celebration will take place on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Residents of Blossom Rock as well as the greater community will be invited to come out and experience a full slate of games and activities along with the enjoyment of these state of art amenities. Additional event details will be shared in the coming weeks.

Located adjacent to Painted Sky Park, “The Dutch” clubhouse is under construction and will open in the fall 2025.

At approximately 8,000-square-feet, The Dutch is designed to offer versatile private gathering spaces for residents. The perfect place to meet for any number of social functions, or just enjoy time with neighbors, The Dutch  will be the hub of Blossom Rock’s growing community.

Next to The Dutch, the Pool Pavilion will feature two pools, generous shaded and  lounging areas, along with lawn areas for picnics and gatherings in a resort-style experience. The main pool is ideal for a refreshing swim or lounging in the sun, while a separate kids’ pool ensures a safe and fun environment for younger residents.

These new amenities will be added to a myriad of outdoor facilities available at Painted Sky Park. Viewing the lake and park with the majestic Superstition Mountains in the backdrop demonstrates Brookfield Properties’ vision for Blossom Rock as a community where residents can be enriched by the natural environment.

“We’re excited to offer such a significant number of amenities early in the development of Blossom Rock,” said Dea McDonald, president of Brookfield Properties Development Arizona, Land and Housing. “With all the community amenties and features at Blossom Rock, we’ve put a lot of thought in their design to allow for social gatherings, as well as encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty of our natural surroundings.”

Blossom Rock at Superstition Vistas is located at the northeast corner of Ironwood and Ray Roads at 10075 S Dutchman Drive and is part of the first phase of the long-planned Superstition Vistas master plan that will reshape the Southeast Valley.

15 model homes are currently available to tour by Brookfield Residential, David Weekley Homes, Lennar, Pulte Homes, and Tri Pointe Homes.

For more information about Blossom Rock and its offerings, please visit https://www.blossomrock.com/. For more information about Painted Sky Park, visit www.apachejunctionaz.gov/paintedskypark. For more information on Brookfield Residential, visit https://www.BrookfieldProperties.com/.

By John Coppotelli IV

For those of us who have been wanting to buy a home locally recently, you know how frustrating it has been. Potential relief looks to be on the way however.

Everyone knows how unaffordable houses have become in the last couple of years. With interest rates nearly at their highest in well over a decade, it has become increasingly difficult to keep up with those prices. However, this is finally starting to change for homes in Scottsdale. Slowly more properties have been staying on the market for longer than they want to, leading to big price cuts. Mortgage rates in Arizona are becoming more affordable creating a neutral market for the first time in 5 years.

A neutral housing market means that there are an equal number of both buyers and sellers, which gives an equal playing field for each party. This is happening all over the country and many Scottsdale based homes are being sold within a matter of months rather than weeks.

Sellers are starting to lose their advantage as properties are staying on the market for prolonged periods. The longer that they stay there, the more the owners are forced to cut prices. Sellers will have to start fighting hard to gain a competitive edge in attracting homebuyers.

This is a great opportunity for potential buyers to get their feet wet in the world of homebuying as rates will become more affordable. Due to the neutral market a homebuyer is in a way better spot than they were in the last 5 years. A whole new group of people will be able to afford homes now that the market has shifted, and it will allow for a more diverse set of choices for them.

If the rates continue to fall this will be the most affordable market since the pandemic, and it could eventually lead to a full-on buyers’ market in Scottsdale. If you are a future homebuyer, it may soon be an amazing time to step on to the plate and start your homeowning journey.

Photo Credit: Visit Arizona

You can say many things about Scottsdale: vibrant, fun, luxurious. One thing you wouldn’t often say about it is that it’s diverse however. Outside of south Scottsdale the city is often known as rather homogenous; in other words, very white. A recent event held in Scottsdale hopes to change that perception however, and break other stereotypes in the process.

The sport of rodeo is also seen as being quite homogenous and generally exclusive to white people in rural areas, but one group is shattering that stereotype. The Arizona Black Rodeo returned for its 13th annual event, and this time was held in WestWorld in Scottsdale. It has traditionally led to a packed house with up to 10,000 spectators, and this event was no different.

While not as visible, the number of Black cowboys in the post–Civil War cattle drives have been estimated to be north of 6,000. Around one-quarter were thought to be minorities, be them African-Americans, Mexicans, or Native Americans. The name “cowboy” actually has a racist history, as the whites who participated were called “cowhands” and minorities “cowboys” as a diminutive descriptor, but obviously that moniker has taken on a more universal meaning.

While black cowboys have always existed, they have traditionally been relegated to the dustbin of history, first as often not being allowed to be landowners, and then in popular culture, as cowboys in film and television were always represented by white actors such as John Wayne. The Arizona Black Rodeo has been extremely successful at demonstrating the vast amount of underrepresented talent that simply needed a venue to be showcased.

This event pulls in participants from around the country, with over 100 participants taking part in this iteration. Barrel racing and steer wrestling took center stage, and the event has had enough support that it will be expanding into Las Vegas for a show there in October.

Perhaps the biggest positive impact is the breaking of stereotypes and merging of cultures. Differences are bridged when we are able to identify and focus on what we have in common instead of that which divides us, and in a polarized political climate, we should be thankful that not only for at least one day stereotypes are broken, but a crowd of people who might not otherwise experience Scottsdale also get to see how great our city is.

Scottsdale is traditionally a very safe city, but like any city it is not entirely immune from issues. Parties get out-of-control in Old Town, fights happen, and occasionally there is gun violence. Our issues are typically relegated to relatively small issues such as that however, but there has been a troubling recent development that points to a significantly larger issue.

Scottsdale has recently been the target of a sophisticated burglary ring run by foreign nationals from Chile. We recently touched on this issue but it seems to have persisted, as thieves would steal expensive goods and resell them to the tune of $5 million and shuffling money between bank accounts; thankfully, six of the perpetrators have been arrested as part of a federal sting. These six are in addition to seven that were previously arrested.

The more noteworthy of the crimes were the “dinnertime burglaries”, where the thieves would act like cat burglars, breaking into homes at night (often with the residents being gone) and pilfering high-value items. All in all, 39 homes were broken into and a total of $600,000 worth of goods were taken.

The question stands: is this over? Did this latest arrest solve the problem once and for all. One could have reasonably thought that the last arrest could have led to the same conclusion, but clearly that was not the case. So what now?

Considering the fact that they all have one very clear thing in common, their country of residency, that offers one place to start. Chile is currently a participating country on our Visa Waiver Program, clearing an easier pathway to come to the country. While it is not ideal to punish many good-hearted people for the misdeeds of a few, perhaps the country’s participation in this program needs to be reviewed.

While the older amongst us may pine for the days where we could leave our front doors unlocked, those days are over. Such is the dual-edged sword of wealth; there will always be those who want to take it from you. While violent crime in Scottsdale may be low, this particular threat is difficult to stamp out completely, so basic security measures, such as securing your property, keeping openings locked, and having a security system are important. The best deterrent you can have for this problem is to not take it lightly.

Scottsdale Community College

Scottsdale has a lot of incredible young talent, and it’s cultivated by a school system that is amongst the best in the state. But for so many kids who grow up in our city, they go away to college and carve their own path elsewhere afterward, taking their talents to new cities and states instead of reinserting their talents back into the city that began them.

Thankfully the city is attempting to reverse this trend and combat a different ever-increasing problem with a new initiative. Scottsdale recently announced that it is starting a scholarship program, Scottsdale College Promise. This initiative is a needs-based program that will provide financial assistance to eligible Scottsdale residents and graduates of Scottsdale high schools, and it will assist them if they choose to pursue attendance at community colleges within the Maricopa Community College system.

In doing so, this alleviates another pressing issue: the price of colleges and universities. While the price of everything has gone up in the last few years, the upward march of tuition prices has been non-stop for decades now and places incredible stress on parents who want to provide for their children. As the relative value compared to post-collegiate income, the time has come for trade schools and community college to have their time in the sun, so this program comes at a perfect time.

This project was approved by the Scottsdale City Council during this year’s budget process, the program and has been allocated $500,000 in seed funding with an initial commitment of up to $100,000 for the first year, with statements of support by nearly all city councilmembers and generally strong support from both council and Scottsdale Unified Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel.

And there’s little reason why this shouldn’t get strong support from council and the community. But dollar amount will not make a significant impact on the budget but will cause significant positive impacts on the lives of those Scottsdalians. But more than that, it sends a positive signal of investing in your own community and of investing in talent. It shows these talented young people that this city is worth your time and personal investment, and that it cares about cultivating its own talent and keeping it in the city.

Too many areas have an intelligent and motivated potential base of talent, only to see them take those talents elsewhere because of a lack of investment or a lack of opportunities. Scottsdale has the opportunities, and now it is making the investment. This is a development that we should all be proud of.

By Councilmember Tammy Caputi

I’ve always been a strong proponent of our parks, Preserve, and open space, and the value they bring to our city. What makes us great is the unmatched outdoor amenities we provide our residents. I applaud past Councils for the foresight to purchase the pristine desert landscape which would become Scottsdale’s greatest asset.

Council was very busy last week with Scottsdale’s Proposition 490, the “Protect and Preserve” ballot initiative that will be on your November ballot. I support a designated funding source to maintain our billion dollar investment in our preserve and our aging parks.

There is no controversy over the desire to keep our Preserve and infrastructure well maintained. Polls show residents overwhelmingly value our open spaces- it’s what keeps our city special.

I was part of the 5-2 majority to send the question of funding to the voters. I also voted back in the Spring to slow the process and have an extra work-study about Prop 490, in response to concerns over the language that some felt was ambiguous. One more session was worth our time, before asking the voters to approve a 30 year, 1.2 billion dollar tax.

The language of Prop 490 was challenged in a suit by the Goldwater Institute, and after a lengthy process the AZ Appeals Court determined our language needed clarification and revision.

No one likes taxes, but we all recognize their role in our quality of life. Above all else I believe the voters should make the final decision.

The Appeals Court gave Scottsdale the option to revise our language, and I applaud our City Attorney and my colleagues for re-introducing language that will give the voters a clear idea of the issue.

Nonetheless, I was uncomfortable with the last-minute changes. The process all along was slow and deliberate, and at the last minute it became rushed. We went out of our way to solicit resident input throughout the process, only to forego input at the 11th hour. We on Council received many emails expressing a sense of disconnect. It was clear we should pump the brakes.

Some feel this issue falls along partisan lines, with Republicans against Prop 490, and Democrats for it. I am one of the few Independents on our Council. I judge each issue on its merits and put the residents of Scottsdale first. Parks are not partisan; I work with my colleagues on both the right and the left. I believe this issue should be decided by our residents, with transparency and accountability.

If our residents vote in favor of Prop 490, I trust their decision. If they oppose, I vow to work with my colleagues to solve the issue of park and preserve maintenance and public safety.

By Councilmember Tom Durham

Adam Kwasman has promised, if elected, to fire all of Scottsdale’s charter officers.

Can you imagine the chaos that would result?

Our charter officers have years of accumulated knowledge of how Scottsdale works—its operations, its budget, its services, its parks. Scottsdale regularly gets awards for the high quality of its services.

But all of that would be gone in a flash once Adam fires our charter officers.

His rant against “unelected bureaucrats” is inexplicable because the charter officers are, by definition, unelected.

And Adam has also lied about charter officer salaries. He claims they recently got 25% raises, which is not true. No one got a 25% raise. The raises were commensurate with the charter officers’ counterparts in the Valley.

He has no plan to replace our charter officers. (He never comes to Council meetings, so he doesn’t know what they do). What’s worse, he has proposed term limits for new charter officers and promised to pay them rock bottom salaries. What competent manager would take a job at a low salary when you are destined to lose your job at the end of Adam’s term limit? This would mean the end of Scottsdale’s high level of service.

As the Arizona Progress & Gazette has noted, Adam is “either unwilling to educate himself or is purposely lying to you.”

That’s why Adam Kwasman is the Chaos Candidate.

Hailey Welsh. Photo Credit: Tim & Dee TV, YouTube

As Andy Warhol once said, everyone will have their 15 minutes of fame, and the proliferation of social media has made that credo much more likely as everyday people are noticed around the world in the matter of hours for sometimes the most random of acts.

And when you are trying to be seen and you want to appeal to a young audience that is frequently on social media, perhaps are budding influencers themselves, and like to have a good time, where else would you go than Scottsdale?

Well viral fame touched down in Scottsdale over the weekend, as the “Hawk Tuah Girl” Hailey Welsh headlined an event at Riot House. For those of you who are not familiar with the “Hawk Tuah” meme craze, we won’t explain it to you in detail as this is a family-friendly publication, but Hailey was interviewed on the street outside a bar by a social media content creator and explained rather amusingly a particular sexual action that she is fond of involving spitting.

From that short little clip, she nearly immediately became a national sensation, a random woman from Tennessee vaulted into the limelight and cagily seizing on her 15 minutes of fame. She has since been making paid appearances all across the country, selling merchandise, and monetizing her virality, which is what ultimately brought her to Scottsdale.

So what to think of it? It is certainly a sign of the times, where the most random of items from the most random of people can become a talking point for the rest of us. It’s a pure representation of social media platforms like TikTok, with their elevation of pointless drivel with no real value to it other than wasting time and having something silly to talk about with friends. It is the sugary desert of media. And it’s also an indicator that that sugary desert has an audience and a home in Scottsdale.

But ultimately, it’s not hurting anyone, so every once in a while, it makes sense to step back and stop expecting everyone to pursue meaty subjects and intellectual pursuits. It’s silly, it’s dumb, and that’s ok.

AZ Sen. John Kavanagh

Regular readers know that we have been highlighting local political races that will impact our area and we project how those campaigns might play out in the November election. One district that we don’t find ourselves talking about much however is legislative district 5, which covers all of Scottsdale north of the 101 and also includes Fountain Hills and Carefree.

This district is currently represented entirely by Republicans: Joseph Chaplik and Alexander Kolodin in the House of Representatives and John Kavanagh in the Senate. While Chaplik has been making some waves in attempts to become the Speaker of the House in the State and has dusted up with elected officials including Mayor Dave Ortega, the others have been relatively mute for much of this year’s legislative session.

Due to the significant Republican majority in this district, the district’s Democrats are going with a “single shot” strategy in the House, where they only field one candidate and tell their voters to not use their second vote and instead leave it blank. The candidate for the LD 3 Dems is Richard Corles, and numerous swing districts have had significant luck with this strategy if they have a relatively small disadvantage. That said, this is not a small disadvantage for Dems; this is a solidly red district.

Regarding the money race, Corles is running in the Clean Elections system, meaning that his funding will be capped and he will receive about $50K to run his general election with; not a miniscule amount but a difficult amount to run a robust winning race with. Chaplik has proven himself to be a prolific fundraiser, a necessity if he wants to be seen as a viable Speaker candidate. He has raised $242K to date during this campaign, and sits with $94K cash on hand (CoH). Kolodin has been significantly less capable with fundraising, having only brought in $64K to date with $42K CoH. Unless he gets these numbers up in future elections he is setting his own political ceiling.

As for the Senate race, it’s a fairly boring one. John Kavanagh ran unopposed in the primary and has no general election opponent. This is about as easy as it gets.

As for how November will play out, there will be few elections that we cover that will be as clear cut as this one. All three Republicans are almost certain to cruise to re-election, and it will be a small miracle if the Democrat makes this an even relatively close contest.

On Wednesday, August 28^th, the Police Officers of Scottsdale Association (POSA) officially announced their endorsement of Scottsdale city council candidate, Adam Kwasman.

“The Police Officers of Scottsdale Association (POSA) proudly endorses Adam Kwasman for Scottsdale City Council. Adam is a strong supporter of the rights of police employees who strive to make Scottsdale safe and enjoyable for all,” in a message from POSA. “Adam recognizes that Scottsdale citizens expect the most highly trained and best all-around officers in the valley. We look forward to working with Adam on establishing a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure current and future police officers are treated, protected, and compensated appropriately.”

“I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of the Police Officers of Scottsdale Association. Our police officers are the backbone of our community, ensuring the safety and well-being of every resident. As a member of the Scottsdale City Council, I will remain committed to supporting our law enforcement, and advocating for the resources and respect they deserve. I look forward to collaborating with POSA to strengthen our community and uphold the standards that make Scottsdale a safe and thriving city.”

For more information about Adam Kwasman’s campaign and plans for Scottsdale, visit www.adamkwasman.com.

Robert Pettycrew

Anyone who has been in Scottsdale long enough has seen the trajectory of its growth, the transformation from a national afterthought to it becoming a national destination. Much of that happened in the 90’s and into the early 2000’s, and much of that growth is owed to the leaders who manifested it into reality.

One of those leaders, former Councilman Robert Pettycrew, recently passed away.

A long time resident of the city and graduate of Coronado High School, Pettycrew began his life of service in the Scottsdale Unified School District, also serving in the Parent-Teacher Association boards at Tonto and Yavapai Elementary Schools, spearheading the “Save Tonto Elementary School” efforts.

Public service soon became a core aspect of his person, as he continued that work as a member of the McDowell Sonoran Land Trust Advisory Board and Scottsdale Community Council. He also served on the Scottsdale Human Services Commission as well as the city’s Planning Commission.

From there he took the next step as he was elected to his first term on the Scottsdale City Council in 1994 and re-elected in 1998. During his time on council he was known for his focus on the preservation of the city’s environment and natural beauty, with a primary focus on the Sonoran Desert. In a city where all the attention was being focused on the growing north, Pettycrew was an anomaly: he was the most recent city councilmember elected from the south and no one has been elected from as far south as he was, and certainly no one with his degree of popularity and impact..

But civic service wasn’t the only notable aspect of his life. He followed up a career in public service and the telecommunications industry with a musical career, as a guitarist for the 74th Street Band, a rock band that made the rounds in the Scottsdale musical scene.

A Renaissance Man, a public servant, and a truly interesting human being. The city and the world would be significantly better off with many more Robert Pettycrew’s; may his legacy and life generate a spark for others to follow in his footsteps.

By Councilwoman Betty Janik

Prop 490, the sales tax measure to protect and preserve open space, will be on the November Ballot. It has been a tortuous path.  The Goldwater Institute filed suit late in the game on behalf of Mayor Lane, Yvonne Cahill, and Susan Wood to block it from the November ballot alleging misleading information.  The lower court ruled in favor of Scottsdale. However, upon appeal by the Goldwater Institute, the court subsequently ruled in favor of Mayor Lane et al.  The courts gave the City the opportunity to adjust the language based on the court’s recommendation.   The county also gave approval for this action. Our legal staff made the recommended changes to the ballot language.   Council approved the new language at an open meeting on August 20 at 2 pm.  I believe the language is clear and improved. Our citizens will now have their voices heard in November.

There were concerns about the pamphlet statements in light of the changes.  The statute being quoted about the 90-day requirement for ballot arguments applies to citizen initiatives or citizen referendums (for example Prop 420) not to this type of ballot measure.  The City is not in violation of any legal requirement and worked to do the equitable thing by allowing those who submitted ballot arguments the ability to make revisions in light of the ballot language change.  It doesn’t matter how hard the City tries or what it does, there will always be a group that is trying to find fault with these actions.

City Clerk’s office contacted the individuals who submitted ballot arguments and offered them the opportunity to revise and resubmit.

By Alexander Lomax

It’s been a rollercoaster past week or so for Proposition 490, the Protect and Preserve initiative that is designed to replace the 0.2% sales tax used for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve with a lower 0.15% sales tax with expanded park maintenance and upkeep services. The very popular initiative brought the ire of the Goldwater Institute, the lobbyist organization whose sole intention seems to be to eliminate any and all taxes, resident desires be damned.

As is often the case, extremely deep-pocketed lobbyist groups can utilize the judicial system to their favor as they only need to get one judge or set of judges to agree with them. So when a Maricopa County judge dismissed their lawsuit, they appealed to the Arizona Court of Appeals, which stated that the verbiage on the ballot about it being a reduction in taxes was misleading, because hypothetically they could let the tax expire and our parks could go into disarray with no taxes allocated towards them.

And let’s be clear: whether it’s a tax reduction or a reduction in taxes, it’s a reduction nonetheless. When you’re paying 0.2% today but will be paying 0.15% next year, you are paying less. That is a reduction.

We would be silly to point out partisan judges in Democrat states and not acknowledge the potential for partisan judges in a state where nearly all appointed judges were put there by Republicans, but regardless, between technicalities, bias, or both…the lobbyists won.

Until…they didn’t. And a last minute change in the verbiage of the initiative on the ballot seems to have saved the day, as the initiative will go on the ballot. And that’s a win for all of us; even those who will vote no against it will get the chance to vote no, the many thousands of people who signed to get on the ballot will get their chance to vote, and ultimately it will be decided by the people. Direct democracy at it’s finest, precisely how it should be.

Councilman Barry Graham, who voted against this change, said “While the rushed description might be technically legal, I remain concerned that denying residents enough time to consider the revised language of the proposition will further erode their trust in city government”. They will have 75 days or so to consider this change, and will be able to have their ballot in hand for nearly a month before voting. What else should they want? Unfortunately Graham seems to have chosen the side of the lobbyists and not common logic on this topic, which is truly disappointing.

It’s unfortunate that some people are so threatened by letting the voters have their voice that they feel the need to waste resources, time, and violate their own intellectual integrity in the process. But kudos to the city (minus a few councilmembers) for acting pragmatically and doing what they needed to do to let the people have a voice.

By Tim Stevens

Congressman David Schweikert

Now that the dust has settled in the primary elections last month we are looking forward to some local races that may have an outsized impact on our area and ones that are certain to grab your attention come October. In this case we look at who will represent most of our area in Congress: the race for Congressional District 1.

We have spoken various times about the players in this race, ranging from the misdeeds and missteps of incumbent Congressman David Schweikert (you can read our coverage here), who coasted in the Republican primary. Far more interesting was the Democratic primary (read our coverage here), where in a very crowded field with a handful of strong candidates current state legislator Amish Shah beat out the rest of his competitors for the privilege of taking on Schweikert.

This district has gotten the attention of both the DCCC and the RCCC, the Congressional groups who are focused on winning elections in swing districts, for a few cycles now and for good reason. Dems have seen this as a winnable seat, one that leans Republican in registration but with the sort of affluent, well-educated Republicans that the more primal, MAGA-esque wing of the GOP has been turning off. While Democrat Hiral Tipirneni put up a good fight against Schweikert in 2020, coming within about 18,000 votes of victory, Democrat Jevin Hodge came within 3,200 votes of winning this seat in 2022, and Democrats now smell blood in the water as various lawsuits and missteps pile up around Schweikert.

Perhaps most notable? Word around the rumor mill is that the RCCC will not be making a full-throated effort to defend this seat for Schweikert, leaving him to his own devices while the DCCC continues to see this as a winnable seat worthy of resources.

On the money side, Amish Shah nearly cleared out his campaign account in his successful attempt to win his primary, as his campaign finance reports showed him with $216K in the bank with a $163K loan outstanding. Meanwhile, Schweikert had the luxury of not being seriously challenged in his primary (i.e. not having to spend down his funds), and he sits with a healthy $1.55M in the bank.

That said, Shah will raise plenty of more funds and have much bigger backing. And as we have spoken about before, he is a door knocking warrior, and thousands of voters who have never met David Schweikert before will meet Amish Shah, which will make a profound difference.

So, prediction? Shah wins in an absolute squeaker (under 5,000 votes), and the national GOP moves on from David Schweikert, licks their wounds, and tries again for this seat with someone new in four years.

Repost from Adam Kwasman

On Thursday, August 22nd, six prominent Arizona mayors officially announced their bipartisan support for former state legislator and Scottsdale City Council candidate, Adam Kwasman.

The impressive lineup includes endorsements from former Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson, former Fountain Hills Mayor Linda Kavanagh, former Maricopa Mayors Anthony Smith and Christian Price, and former Flagstaff Mayor Jerry Nabours.

“In light of the circumstances of leadership that we understand to exist in City Hall at this time, we need thoughtful, honest, and sensible leadership for Scottsdale, and that’s exactly what Adam Kwasman brings to the table,” said Jim Lane, who served as Scottsdale’s mayor for 12 years.

This strong backing from local Arizona leaders underscores the widespread confidence in Kwasman’s track record and vision for Scottsdale. “I am deeply honored to be receiving endorsements from such esteemed community leaders,” said Kwasman, “With their confidence, and through growing support from the community, Scottsdale will receive my best work.”

Photo Credit: AZCentral.com

For any renters or prospective home buyers in the Phoenix metro area, housing costs are easily one of the biggest concerns and have turned into a political football. As with any significant issue, especially one that impacts an oversized percentage of their voting base, politicians will do their best to at least give the appearance of solving issues.

Enter Governor Katie Hobbs, who recently made waves by signing a whopping four bills at once; the grouping of the bills together to be signed along with the media coverage clearly indicated that this was to be considered a landmark event.

The bills essentially revolved around a loosening of restrictions and cutting through red tape; one allowing residents in larger cities to build casitas on their properties, one allowing municipalities to allow for duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes or townhomes to be built on single-family home lots, one relaxing zoning to allow for more multifamily development, and the last to speed up approval of construction projects.

That said, to a degree rent relief might be moving at the speed of government and rendering these changes less critical. Arizona was the only state to have rent drops in every metro area earlier this year, indicating that things have been going in the right direction before any changes. This sort of change would have been much more beneficial in Hobbs’s first year of office or at the end of her predecessor’s tenure.

The rent story isn’t the only story of approving affordability, however; earlier this year, 31% of home listings had had their prices reduced, far above the national average of 18% at the time, indicating that demand has not kept up with pricing. While median prices were still at a lofty $450,000, high price reduction rates are a strong indicator that at the very least the worst in price increases is behind us, and significant price declines may be on the horizon, which is very welcome news for new homebuyers.

Ultimately however, while the ultimate results will dictate how much of a win this legislation is both from the political sense as well as the residents, it is a refreshing take from Hobbs. Democrats have long had the reputation for embracing and even increasing bureaucratic red tape. To attempt to solve this issue by doing the exact opposite is an extremely positive development and an indicator that split government forces pragmatic solutions.

Now that the primaries are behind us, it’s time for us to take a look at how the November general elections may shake out, and we’re going to start with Legislative District 4, which covers most of Scottsdale from Camelback Road to the 101 as well as Paradise Valley.

This is one of the more interesting battles in Arizona because it is a swing district in the truest sense of the word: the House seats are split between Republican Matt Gress and Democrat Eric Meyer (you can read why he’s in this seat here). Former Rep. Kelli Butler and Madison School District board member Karen Gresham will be looking to take both of those seats (Meyer is not running for election to this seat), and Gress will be running alongside former Scottsdale City Council candidate Pamela Carter for both seats on the Republican side.

Perhaps most notable in this case is that both primaries were uncontested, but there were very significant undervotes for both Gresham and Carter, as Butler had about 1,500 more votes than Gresham and Gress had a more stunning 4,000 vote lead over Carter (even though there were only two choices for each). It’s hard not to see that flowing over into the general election.

Meanwhile, Matt Gress sat with a daunting $257K cash on hand (COH) as of July 13th. Butler, who got a later start, sits at a healthy $180K.COH, but perhaps the biggest surprise is Karen Gresham holding a surprising $167K COH. Meanwhile, Carter sits at only $32K. Therefore, the most likely outcome seems to be Gress and Butler again splitting the district, but if there is a bit of a blue tide in this election, Butler and Gresham both going through wouldn’t be a shocking development.

Meanwhile on the Senate side, Democrat Christine Marsh looks to hold her seat. She ran unopposed in the primary, whereas Scottsdale Unified school district board member Carine Werner handily beat perennial candidate Kenneth Bowers, setting up a battle between two educational advocates with extremely differing views on the subject.

Marsh exited the July 13th reporting cutoff with an imposing $257K COH pile, while Werner only has $119K. As this will be one of the relatively few competitive Senate seats that Democrats will need to hold onto to tie the Senate or even take a lead, those cash piles will likely go up on both ends, But considering Marsh’s financial lead, relatively likable demeanor and Werner’s reputation for being a bit of a bomb thrower on the SUSD board, unless there ends up being a red tide this election it appears that Marsh will likely hold onto the seat.

Legislative District 4 in Arizona is a massively important one, not just because many of our readers are within it (as it covers much of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley), but because it is one of the few legitimate swing districts, with one Republican Representative and one Democrat (as well as a Democratic State Senator).

Representative Laura Terech announced that she was vacating her seat, and we recently wrote that the three options that the County Board of Supervisors had to choose from were all very, very familiar names (you can read it here). The Board made its choice and announced that former Democratic Minority Leader Eric Meyer will be heading back to the legislature as their choice,

Meyer was included in the mix as a placeholder, with no intention to run for re-election and the Democrats’ two choices for both seats, current Representative Kelli Butler and Karen Gresham, in the midst of their own campaigns. Clearly Meyer, an old hat at the state capitol, meant a lack of disruption, and considering that sine die (the final day of the session) has already passed, the duties would be light anyway.

However, the choice of Meyer was still a curious choice. It was a curious option to put up two current candidates for the House in that district as well as Meyer; it is almost as if the district forced the Board’s hand, instead of giving a candidate for the office a clear incumbency advantage, the Board was likely to pick Meyer, who has indicated that he has no desire to run for the seat.

Perhaps the bigger issue that we spoke about in our last piece is the apparent lack of a bench; to have the three options for a placeholder seat be two candidates and a retired former Representative would seem to indicate that perhaps there is a relative lack of trust in the district party, or worse yet, an embedded clique culture. While they have done very well in voter turnout operations, perhaps it’s a good indicator to take a few steps back and start training more people for positions of leadership.

Until then, congrats to Dr. Eric Meyer on his temp gig; it is likely to be the easiest job of his now-storied career.

By Rick Rillito

Mohit “Moe” Asnani and Charles “Chip” Boyden are learning the hard way that writing big checks doesn’t solve everything. Sometimes it can cause big problems.

Moe and Chip own multiple marijuana dispensaries in Tucson.   In 2022, after Arizona awarded 26 new “social equity” marijuana licenses related to recreational marijuana , Moe and Chip had a plan to expand their position in the industry.  The plan was simple: target unsophisticated majority owners of entities awarded social equity licenses, and offer them lots of money.  Those targeted owners would be less likely to appreciate the legal perils of what Moe and Chip would propose.

Anavel Vasquez was qualified to be the majority owner of an entity applying for a social equity license.  She lived in a neighborhood historically disproportionately impacted by previous marijuana laws and her household fell below a certain economic threshold.  Vasquez didn’t have  the know-how or the means ($4,000 per application) to apply for a social equity license on her own.  Vasquez agreed to work with  investors, Helping Handz, LLC and Investing in the Future, LLC. They handled every financial and logistical aspect of the application process in return for a minority stake in the entity applying for the license, Juicy Joint I LLC, as well as Vasquez’s agreement to ultimately own and operate a dispensary under this agreed-upon business structure.  Mike Halow, the manager of Helping Handing Handz and Investing in the Future, has devoted plenty of time, effort and resources assisting Vasquez and others in similar situations in navigating this process. That’s because there are potential mutual benefits.  Read more about the people Halow helped here. Similar business arrangements became common place in the industry—as Moe Asnani and Chip Boyden knew well and of which they sought to take advantage.

When the social equity licenses were officially awarded on April 8, 2022, Moe and Chip wasted no time targeting individuals like Anavel  Vasquez to abandon their business relationships to do business with them.  As they immediately advertised on their website  (Social Equity 2022 – AB46 Investments): “NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE SIGNED, 51% OWNERS HAVE OPTIONS.”   Moe and Chip also sent letters to multiple majority owners of  awarded entities,  inviting a call to discuss business opportunities with them.    Read More

By John Coppotelli IV

Teachers have the unique ability to change and shape young people’s minds. They are a vital part of ensuring that every generation has the necessary knowledge for their future endeavors. However, with costs on the rise everywhere and their salaries staying stagnant, teachers are becoming a lot scarcer, and classrooms are not getting filled. There are simply better career paths for their futures.

Many schools in Arizona are facing an unprecedented shortage of teachers, with the end of last school year having 30% of its classes being impacted by this. Many teachers are burnt out and are forced to work overtime hours, teaching extra classes, and yet are getting paid the same. The average starting salary for teachers in Arizona is $44,000, with the average salary overall being $60,000. Teachers are fundamental building blocks for the next generation, and not having the necessary mentors can be detrimental.

You might be thinking to yourself…didn’t we recently vote to increase teacher pay in Arizona? And you aren’t wrong; Proposition 123 was proposed by then-Governor Ducey and was designed to increase education funding by $3.5 billion over the course of 10 years by allocating money from the general fund and increasing annual distributions of the state land trust permanent funds to education, with a focus on increasing teacher pay. It was supposed to be the solution to the problem.

Meanwhile, due to necessary class slots not being filled, teachers are having to cover extra classes. Normally teachers have a couple hours of prep-time during the day to arrange plans for upcoming classes. However, with these shortages, they must give up those extra hours to help fill-in and teach unfulfilled classes. This leads to full-time teachers having to prepare for their own classes outside of school hours and it forces them to work unpaid overtime. This becomes a problem because any outside prep work takes away from the time they spend with their families.

Additionally, a lot of teachers nowadays have lost the respect they once had, as in the eyes of a lot of parents they are seen as glorified babysitters. Many of these teachers are seen as the front line of education for parents, as they are the ones educating and watching their children daily. If their children are performing poorly in school, the teachers are the first ones to be scrutinized. On top of that, direct support from upper administration is waning more and more each year. Teachers are more than ever overly stressed and lack the support to provide a proper education while trying to avoid scrutiny from both parents and administrators.

It is vital that teachers remain the foundation in every one of our children’s learning lives. Without proper support, who knows what a world of students without teachers could look like. We must do better for our teachers in this state, and that starts with better pay and a reasonable workload. And while I might not have a specific proposal, it’s clear that Proposition 123 wasn’t enough.

There are many words that can be used to describe Arizona, but “environmental leader” wouldn’t usually (or ever) be considered one of them. But one group is having some success in reversing that expectation and meeting a significant need in the process.

MODUS Companies has been making incredible inroads regarding building housing in Arizona with its Net Zero (as in, zero additional carbon emissions) strategy, or in its words, Zero Energy Ready Homes. Its focus is built-to-rent developments, with a goal to make housing more affordable but without significant (or any) environmental impact. In a state where rent costs have risen astronomically since COVID, it’s a welcome development.

Perhaps even more notable is its work in Scottsdale; in a city that has become a contentious place to build more housing, it is finding innovative ways to do so. For its most recent Scottsdale development, it’s actually an infill site, surrounded by existing housing, an Elks Club and the San Francisco Giants Baseball Spring Training facility.

MODUS has centered its developments around employing renewable energy sources, reducing energy usage and carbon emissions, utilizing green energy initiatives, using sustainable materials, and minimizing on-site waste by using prefabricated products. This particular development is at the base of Papago Mountain with unobstructed views of Camelback Mountain. Previously this site had a 70,000 square foot office building since the early 1970’s that was home to the Vitalant Blood Bank, and it will be its 7th project in Scottsdale.

Scottsdale can traditionally get labeled as a pricey place to live, and out of reach for many. This project is meant to be an alternative to renting an unattainably expensive home.  These homes offer amenities that exceed most apartment complexes in the market, yet the homes are single story with private backyards. Rents are expected to start at $2,400 a month.

CEO Ed Gorman spoke about the balance between affordability and amenities, saying “We are seeing a flight to quality of product and amenities.  We are seeing people stay longer in rental homes and apartments as it has become a long-term choice.”

Arizona stands to be impacted significantly by more global warming, and is already hurt by a lack of affordable housing. When solutions can be made to address both, it feels like a classic win-win, and MODUS’s work seems to fit that bill and is worth your attention.

Photo Credit: Flock Safety

Arizona has always had a bit of a social libertarian streak; one focused on self-reliance, of personal freedoms, and a disdain for “big government”. Sometimes that desire for personal freedom and a lack of government intrusion can clash with another aspect of much of the state, and specifically Scottsdale: a respect for the work of law enforcement.

So what happens when these two issues clash directly? We’re finding out now as the Scottsdale Police Department is about to start implementing drone-fueled cameras in its law enforcement work.

Said drone will be stationed on a roof in south Scottsdale and will be operated remotely by a pilot and in response to 911 calls. Scottsdale Assistant Chief of Police Rich Slavin talked about their usage, stating that they would be used for “anything from a high-risk tactical call where maybe we have an armed and barricaded subject…or a burglary in progress call”.

Perhaps most notably, he also said that they would only record when arriving at a scene, which if taken as gospel truth should relieve the concerns of many personal freedom advocates.

That said, there are still plenty of questions. For instance, is the fact that the drones would only start recording at the scene of a crime or emergency going to be official policy? What controls will be in place to enforce that, or are we simply supposed to trust those words and not ask additional questions? Will all calls be subject to this, and if not what criteria will be in place to justify drone usage?

And questions for the city are only one echelon of potential questions. For instance, if Scottsdale betrays these words and ends up shooting much more footage, will that footage be enforceable in court? If it sees something that then compels further action, such as a warrant, is that then enforceable? What is the legal precedent for such a nascent technology?

We all want to be safe, and where cost-effective tools can be used to help make that in reality. And for anything new, trailblazers need to pave the way. That said, it’s our sincere hope that Scottsdale Police take personal privacy seriously, don’t push boundaries too much, and work within legal boundaries to do their jobs effectively without causing frivolous or meaningful lawsuits and a further erosion of trust in an important institution.

By Jeanne Beasley
Candidate for Scottsdale School Board

As students return to school this week, let’s consider what we can do to help support and strengthen our local public schools. I am running for a seat on the Scottsdale Unified School Board on November 5, alongside Gretchen Jacobs and Drew Hassler, to serve our community positively.

We are parents, professionals, and community leaders who have had students in our Scottsdale schools and believe that strong communities should have strong public schools. Families shouldn’t have to look elsewhere for the excellent academic opportunities and well-rounded extracurricular experiences they desire for their children.

Our campaign, “Just Be Honest,” will bring a new era of transparency, accountability, and integrity to SUSD. Our mission is to ensure that every decision made is in the best interest of our students, families, and teachers.Read More

With just five days remaining until Arizona’s 2024 primary election, let’s take a closer look at how Republicans and Democrats are performing across the state.

Focusing first on the Republicans, a total of 1,156,580 GOP ballots have been requested. Of these, 1,089,498 are from registered Republicans and 67,082 from Independents. These numbers surpass the total requests from both 2020 and 2022, which were 1,035,288 and 1,059,348, respectively. Currently, Republicans have a 32.7% ballot return rate, while Independents have a 49.2% return rate, resulting in an overall return rate of 33.7%.

At this stage in the election, GOP ballot returns across the state are ahead of 2022 but are behind 2020. In 2020, returns at this time were 426,571, compared to 375,714 in 2022. So far in 2024, a total of 389,458 GOP ballots have been returned.

Now looking at the Democratic side, total ballot requests stand at 1,063,267, with 1,008,909 from Democrats and 54,358 from Independents. This exceeds the totals from both 2020, which had 1,044,288 requests, and 2022, which had 1,041,271 requests. Democrats are returning their ballots at a 29.4% rate, while Independents are returning at a 48.9% rate, resulting in an overall return rate of 30.4%

At this stage in the cycle, Democratic returns are lagging behind both 2020 and 2022. In 2020, Democratic returns were 439,383, and in 2022 they were 368,745. Both figures are notably higher than the current returns in 2024, which stand at 322,984.

By Scottsdale City Councilmember Tom Durham

What’s the truth about “road diets?” It’s really pretty simple. The current City Council has approved one – and only one – road diet. The residents asked for something to be done about the dangerous conditions on 68th Street. 68th Street is mostly two lanes, but it expanded to four as it went north. This transition created problems as cars sped up and switched lanes. This section of 68th Street had three times the number of accidents as an average Scottsdale street and ranked in the top 7% for accidents per mile. Tragically, there were two pedestrian fatalities in recent years. To address the issue, City staff held neighborhood outreach where neighbors agreed to the plan.

The work on the road included dedicated turn lanes and protected pedestrian crossings, all of which made the street safer. There was plenty of room because 68th Street was below 40% capacity. Police and fire personnel confirmed that narrowing the road would not present access issues.Read More

With six months to go until Election Day 2024, Democrats hold a slight edge over Republicans in the State.For President, the Democratic incumbent President Joe Biden leads Republican former president Donald Trump by a slim 38.8% to 38.1% margin. Independent Robert F Kennedy Jr. has 13.5% support. 8.1% reported as being undecided.

In the US Senate race, presumptive Republican nominee Kari Lake trails Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego, the presumptive Democratic nominee, 48.1% to 43.9%. 6.3% of voters are undecided.

Pollster George Khalaf had this to say about the latest results, “With Election Day 2024 a little under 6 months away, the races for President and US Senate in Arizona are a toss-up. As we get closer to Election Day, it will be interesting to note what happens to the support currently given to Robert F Kennedy Jr and if President Biden or Former President Donald Trump pick up more of his current supporters. One thing remains clear, all eyes will be on Arizona and the outsized role our state will play in shaping the direction of the Nation.”

This poll of 550 likely general election voters was conducted by live phone survey that collected 46.0% of the results from live caller landlines and 54.0% from live caller cell phones. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.26% with a 95% confidence interval. Respondents were weighted on a number of different demographic figures based on prior general election voter turnout figures. The poll was conducted from April 27th – April 29th, 2024. The questions released are verbatim from the survey provided to respondents. Toplines and demographic data can be found here. Crosstabs for this survey can be found here.

Photo Credit: The Hill

Here are the Arizona Progress and Gazette, we love to cover the weird world that is Arizona politics. Not many states are pure swing states, which brings with it an incredible amount of attention. And perhaps no race other than the Presidential race will be more watched than the specter of a three-person cage match to represent Arizona in the US Senate alongside Sen. Mark Kelly.

Campaign viability is almost always tied to fundraising, and with that in mind we received some clarity as to where the candidates stand in the way of their 2023 Q4 financial statements. And so far, it’s Advantage Gallego.

According to those Q4 reports, Rep. Ruben Gallego brought in $3.3 million and sat with $6.5 in cash at the end of the year. Compare this with Kari Lake, who brought in $2,1 million but with no cash-on-hand numbers available at the time of writing. Incumbent Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s numbers were not available at the time of writing.

Perhaps most notable with the fact that 99% of Gallego’s contributions were under $200. That means that he has been able to build an incredible breadth and scope of donors nationally, ones that he will be able to go back to time and time again until the election, as opposed to max donors who are tapped out until after the primary election.

All of this is a relative pittance in what is certain to be one of the most important races in the country however, especially considering the extremely tight lead that Democrats have in the Senate. For context, a stunning $236 million was spent in the 2022 US Senate election; in all fairness, over half of that was spent by outside groups, but regardless, the bar of competitiveness for a US Senate race starts around $30 million or so, so the early numbers matter but are not critical.

While Gallego’s strength is obvious, a big question will be Kari Lake’s ability to fundraise. During her run for Governor, she eschewed the necessity of traditional fundraising, relying instead on earned media and a strong social media presence. As a result, she was soundly defeated by Katie Hobbs in the fundraising race. While the national Republican party will likely come to her support unless Sheriff Mark Lamb makes it a competitive primary, she must demonstrate that she has learned a lesson from her failure in her gubernatorial race.

But of course, the big elephant in the room is whether or not Sinema will vie for another term in the face of low favorability ratings. But until then, she is certain to utilize her influence and power to raise huge chunks of money to assist her in whatever her next step is.