Axon’s Money Finds Its Way to Whitehead…By Another Route

By Ronald Sampson The Check That Raised Questions A recent Scottsdale Progress campaign finance review of 2026 council candidates contained a detail worth examining closely. Council candidate Solange Whitehead’s first-quarter donor list is topped by a $5,000 contribution from Mike Wagers, identified as Chief Customer Officer of Axon Enterprise. Five thousand dollars. Nearly 20% of her total first-quarter haul. From a senior … Read More

Guest Editorial: Trust Solange to Do What’s Best for Scottsdale

By Betty Janik Sadly, elections have become filled with untruths. Such is the case regarding Axon and the Scottsdale City Council race. Recent attacks have spread further fabrications and questioned Councilwoman Solange Whitehead’s honesty. Here are the facts: ·       When Axon World Headquarters was approved by a previous Council, Solange voted yes – after the residential component was lowered from 2,300 … Read More

Guest Editorial: Negotiating Scottsdale’s Prosperity: A Tale of Two Projects

By Councilwoman Solange Whitehead On the surface, Avala Scottsdale (Modus Companies) and Old Town’s AC Marriott Hotel (PEG) don’t appear related. But both followed a similar path—and show what happens when a Council negotiates hard and delivers prosperity for all in Scottsdale. Both projects are in highly desirable locations—though in Scottsdale, that’s every site. Avala, a single-story, net-zero energy rental … Read More

Q1 Money Race: Whitehead Leads the 2026 Scottsdale City Council Field

By Alexander Lomax The first campaign finance reports of the 2026 Scottsdale City Council election cycle are in, covering January 1 through March 31. Eight candidates are chasing three seats currently held by Solange Whitehead, Barry Graham, and term-limited Kathy Littlefield. The numbers tell a story of incumbency advantage, an early frontrunner, and a field where the financial gaps are … Read More

The Axon Vote: What Councilwoman Whitehead Said vs. What She Did

By Michelle Ugenti-Rita Scottsdale Councilwoman Solange Whitehead Cannot Be Trusted    With the election just three months away, Scottsdale voters deserve to know which candidates can be trusted to, say what they do and do what they say. Councilwoman Solange Whitehead is running for re-election, and her record on one of the most consequential development decisions in our city raises serious concerns about whether … Read More

Guest Editorial: What Makes a Good Candidate

By Mary Manross Do you know Solange Whitehead? I have known her for over 20 years. That is why I am proud to serve as Honorary Chair for her campaign for Scottsdale City Council. The first question I have for candidates is what do they believe are the most critical issues facing Scottsdale? Secondly, have they ever shown an ability … Read More

It’s Official: I am on the Ballot

By Councilwoman Solange Whitehead   It’s Official: I am on the Ballot Get ready to vote in the July 21, 2026 Primary Election! I’m pleased to announce that my nominating paperwork is filed and I am officially on the ballot for re‑election to Scottsdale City Council. With the incredible help of volunteers—and knocking on doors and visiting neighborhoods —I proudly … Read More

Guest Editorial: What I’m Working On: Water, Trees, and More

  By Councilwoman Solange Whitehead     Which Headline do You Want? For decades, Scottsdale has planned for cuts to the city’s allocation of water from the Colorado River. The headline we worked toward was simple: “Scottsdale not Impacted by Colorado River Cuts” A proposed departure from that long-term planning by the City’s new management could flip the headline — and threaten Scottsdale’s … Read More