This article in the Arizona Republic doesn’t explain Scottsdale Mayor-Elect David Ortega’s unexpected and impressive victory entirely, but it does provide insight into how a left-leaning candidate won in a typically Republican city.
Bottom line: his candidacy likely would not have succeeded in another political year but he timed this mayoral candidacy well. He also benefitted from Lisa Borowsky’s too Republican-centric approach. Her tone would have been right for most cycles, but wasn’t for 2020. But as we have said before her surprising showing leaves her reputation the better for the run, as is certainly the case with Ortega who threaded many needles to gain the prize.