.gif)
Phil Gordon (politician)
Encyclopedia
Phil Gordon is an American
Democratic party
politician
, and the 58th and current mayor
of Phoenix
, Arizona
. He was sworn in as mayor on January 2, 2004.
. He attended the University of Arizona
and graduated with a bachelor's degree in education. After earning his undergraduate degree, Gordon entered Arizona State University
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
.
Gordon has had worked in a variety of professions, including as a school teacher, lawyer, business owner, chairman of Landiscor Aerial Photography Company, as well serving on the Madison School Board.
After serving as chief of staff to a former Phoenix Mayor in 1996, Gordon's interest in Phoenix became his incentive to seek public office. Pledging to fight crime and preserve neighborhoods, he entered the race for Phoenix City Council
and was elected in 1997 and 2001.
During his tenure at Phoenix City Hall, Gordon has focused heavily on revitalizing downtown Phoenix. He and other members of the Phoenix City Council have put more than $1 billion into the city's core, investing in projects such as the revitalization of the Phoenix Convention Center, the construction of a new $350 million Sheraton hotel, and the creation of a downtown Arizona State University campus.
Gordon has also been a staunch backer of a controversial $1.1 billion multi-modal transportation system which was approved by 65 percent of Phoenix voters in March, 2000. Most recently, the Mayor has engaged in a verbal dispute with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio
over issues related to illegal immigration, opposing the controversial Arizona SB 1070 law, which he has considered to be racist and poorly based.
In 2008, a group calling itself American Citizens United setup a petition to recall Gordon from office. The group faltered and did not submit any signatures.
Additionally, President George W. Bush
appointed Gordon to serve on the Honorary Delegation to accompany him to Jerusalem for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel in May 2008.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Democratic party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, and the 58th and current mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. He was sworn in as mayor on January 2, 2004.
Early life, education, and early career
Born to Sidney and Judy Gordon, he is the oldest of three children and the grandson of a Lithuanian Jewish immigrant. In 1960, the Gordon family moved to Phoenix where Phil attended Madison Meadows Elementary and Middle School and Central High SchoolCentral High School (Phoenix, Arizona)
Central High School is a high school in the Phoenix Union High School District, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.The campus is located at 4525 North Central Avenue, just north of downtown. Central’s enrollment is 2315 students. Over 60 percent of the population is Hispanic...
. He attended the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
and graduated with a bachelor's degree in education. After earning his undergraduate degree, Gordon entered Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law is one of the professional graduate schools at Arizona State University, located in Tempe, Arizona. Founded in 1964, the law school has held American Bar Association accreditation since 1969. The school is currently located in , adjacent to the architecturally...
.
Gordon has had worked in a variety of professions, including as a school teacher, lawyer, business owner, chairman of Landiscor Aerial Photography Company, as well serving on the Madison School Board.
After serving as chief of staff to a former Phoenix Mayor in 1996, Gordon's interest in Phoenix became his incentive to seek public office. Pledging to fight crime and preserve neighborhoods, he entered the race for Phoenix City Council
Phoenix City Council
The Phoenix City Council includes the mayor and 8 councilmembers. Each councilmember is elected from a different district of the city of Phoenix. The councilmembers are elected to 4 year terms in a nonpartisan election.The Council:-External links:*...
and was elected in 1997 and 2001.
Mayoralty
The former city councilman was elected mayor in the non-partisan mayoral race on September 9, 2003, garnering 72 percent of the vote, and re-elected on September 11, 2007, with 77 percent of the vote.During his tenure at Phoenix City Hall, Gordon has focused heavily on revitalizing downtown Phoenix. He and other members of the Phoenix City Council have put more than $1 billion into the city's core, investing in projects such as the revitalization of the Phoenix Convention Center, the construction of a new $350 million Sheraton hotel, and the creation of a downtown Arizona State University campus.
Gordon has also been a staunch backer of a controversial $1.1 billion multi-modal transportation system which was approved by 65 percent of Phoenix voters in March, 2000. Most recently, the Mayor has engaged in a verbal dispute with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Joe Arpaio
Joseph M. "Joe" Arpaio is the elected Sheriff of Maricopa County in the U.S. state of Arizona. First voted into office in 1992, Arpaio is responsible for law enforcement in Maricopa County. This includes management of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, county jail, courtroom security,...
over issues related to illegal immigration, opposing the controversial Arizona SB 1070 law, which he has considered to be racist and poorly based.
In 2008, a group calling itself American Citizens United setup a petition to recall Gordon from office. The group faltered and did not submit any signatures.
Additionally, President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
appointed Gordon to serve on the Honorary Delegation to accompany him to Jerusalem for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel in May 2008.