What a week it was for the Valley’s toniest towns.
New leadership was elected in each community, prompting numerous observations.
*To the bold go the spoils. Both Scottsdale Mayor-Elect Lisa Borowsky and Mayor-Elect Mark Stanton jumped into uphill races. Yet, both prevailed for different reasons. Stanton not only outhustled Anna Thomason, he outflanked her with endorsements and benefitted from his Republican credentials in a year that was very much in vogue. Now, as the CEO of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce and Mayor of Paradise Valley Stanton is one of the most powerful people in the Northeast Valley in decades. Stanton also benefitted from a spirited opposition campaign against Thomasson waged by two of her peers on the Town Council, Julie Pace and Ellen Andeen. After coming close in 2020 Borowsky got the prize this time. She, even more than Stanton, benefitted from her Republican ways but she also rallied because of an incumbent Mayor who while more congenial later in his term started it out with enemies list (for real) and an arrogance that created very hard feelings among many voters. People didn’t just want to defeat Ortega. They REALLY wanted to do so. It was really a case of his personality not his policies, because Ortega had quite a story to tell in this regard, supporting some projects while opposing others. While Thomasson and Ortega came up short they both undeniably brought spirit to their runs, likely not their last.
*Who Borowsky taps as her Chief of Staff will be interesting.
*Scottsdale City Councilwoman-Elect Maryann McAllen is the new Robert Pettycrew (may he rest in peace) and Guy Phillips. Not politically of course. McAllen is a Democrat. But after raising only $36,000 to communicate with some 140,000 voters McAllen continues in the mold of candidates who simply have magical ballot names that people unfamiliar simply flock to. Like Pettycrew and Phillips before her.
*Scottsdale will start with a new conservative majority that will likely serve as a 4-vote block on nearly all matters, at least initially. Composed of Kathy Littlefied, Barry Graham, Councilwoman-Elect Jan Dubauskus and Councilman-Elect Adam Kwasman – with it unknown if Borowsky will join them to make 5 – the group is already vetting candidates to run in 2026 when Councilwoman Solange Whitehead is schedule for re-election along with Barry Graham. Littlefield’s seat will be open as she is term-limited.
*Will the incoming Scottsdale City Council overrule outgoing City Manager Jim Thompson’s decision to appoint well-liked and long serving Assistant City Manager Bill Murphy as the Interim in favor of Fire Chief Tom Shannon?
*A campaign defining vote on Axon’s massive development proposal in the next couple of weeks – including an element that appears to be the largest apartment complex in city history – will be a campaign and career defining vote for some.
*Scottsdale’s Larsen Art Gallery is set to host a going away party for Scottsdale City Manager Jim Thompson on December 10th, after 8 years of effective service to the community, the second longest tenure in city history.
*What senior Scottsdale officials are on the chopping block after the new council assumes its seats in January?
*Has Axon asked Congressman David Schweikert to make lobbying calls to certain Scottsdale Councilmembers to cajole their vote?
*Long-time City of Scottsdale Water Services Director Brian Biesemeyer finished last in his bid for the Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board.
*Scottsdale City Councilman Adam Kwasman has a big campaign debt to retire. Borowsky reportedly has none.
*One of the most acrimonious Paradise Valley relationships in recent years was between former Councilmember Paul Dembbow and Mayor-Elect Mark Stanton. Dembow now has to call him Mayor.
*The PV mayor’s race results are a reminder of the stable steward that was – and still is for 2 months – Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner. He opted not to run again after 3 terms.
That’s all for now for the Beverly Hills and Bel Air of Arizona. Additional tips welcome at stayabreastaz@gmail.com.