By Ronald Sampson Political money sometimes buys outcomes. Other times it manufactures the opposite. The campaign against Barry Graham may end up as a case study in the second category. Axon and its allied committees spent heavily to remove him from the Scottsdale City Council. What they produced instead was his clearest identity in years. Graham was not cruising before the … Read More
Solange’s Scottsdale Salience
By SongBird No matter how the elections turn out Tuesday for Scottsdale City Council, or in November, Solange Whitehead is a Hall of Famer. Amongst the contemporary rancor over Axon, out of state funding, apartments, development, transparency, elections and parking garages, one can forget her many, many contributions to the city over the past decade. That shouldn’t be. She serves with … Read More
Guest Editorial: Big Wins Achieved Together!
By Councilwoman Solange Whitehead Thank you to all that have voted! Strong words of encouragement to those that have not yet voted. Please make your voice heard. Polls are open Monday and Tuesday until 7 pm. See link HERE.In eight years, we’ve sure gotten a lot done together. Below are just a few photos of our accomplishments. It really matters who … Read More
Guest Editorial: Final Thoughts from the Campaign Trail
By Councilman Barry Graham
Guest Editorial: Has This Election Now Become the Nastiest in Scottsdale History?
By Bob Littlefield Dear Friends, During the last 20+ years I have waged eight campaigns for City Council and Mayor for Kathy and me. Each of them had some level of lying and personal attacks directed against us. Even Councilwoman Kathy, whose record re-election victory in 2022 showed how popular she is with the voters, was subjected to lies and … Read More
Guest Editorial: Just Say No to Barry Graham
By Steve Tyrrell Dear Editor: I previously voted for Barry Graham for City Council but will not be doing so this time. Like many other Scottsdale residents I have grown tired of Mr. Graham’s attempt to portray himself as putting taxpayers first when in fact he does the opposite. His “Taxpayer First” slogan is just that: A slogan that is … Read More
Better Together’s Latest Trick: Laundering the Money Trail Through Virginia
A Campaign Finance Report That Answers Nothing Better Together wants Scottsdale voters to believe it has nothing to do with Axon. Its second-quarter campaign finance report shows no ties back to Axon, at least not directly. Every dollar the PAC raised this quarter came from a single source: National Horizon Inc., a self-described conservative super PAC based in Alexandria, Virginia. … Read More
Complete BS
Here at the Arizona Progress & Gazette we support free speech to the fullest, and we are honored to give voice to a wide range of opinions. But free speech does not mean freedom from retort. We have a ton of respect for Betty Janik, who has earned that standing through a storied career of public service and honorable politics. … Read More
Former Scottsdale City Manager Jim Thompson Returns Home to Join SEG Leadership Team
After Decades in Local Government, Thompson Brings Public-Sector Perspective to Growing Phoenix Firm Former Scottsdale City Manager Jim Thompson is heading home to Arizona for a new chapter in the private sector. Following 40 years in city government, Thompson will join the Sustainability Engineering Group as president and chief growth officer starting July 1, 2026, bringing decades of experience in … Read More
Better Together’s Blank Check: Who’s Really Funding the PAC Attacking Barry Graham?
By Alexander Lomax A New PAC, a Familiar Playbook A political action committee called Better Together has spent more than $250,000 attacking three Scottsdale City Council candidates, and Scottsdale voters still don’t know who is paying for it. The committee filed with the state on June 5. Its first campaign finance report isn’t due until July 15, well after most … Read More




