Phoenix mayoral election, 2011
Encyclopedia
The Phoenix, Arizona mayoral election, 2011 was held in a two-round system
on August 30, 2011, and November 8, 2011. Greg Stanton
, a former city councilman, was elected over Wes Gullett, and will take office on January 3, 2012, succeeding Phil Gordon
, who has held the office of Mayor of Phoenix since 2004. The election coinded with the Phoenix
City Council
elections to the four odd-numbered districts (1, 3, 5, 7).
, the political affiliations of the respective candidates are not present on the ballot paper. In addition, the race is widely regarded as very competitive compared to previous elections, as the last three incumbent mayors ran with little to no opposition.
The following candidate collected enough signatures to appear on the ballot:
In reaction to the snub, Democratic candidate Greg Stanton said that if a Democratic-sponsored mayoral forum was held, he would not attend if Republicans were excluded.
The debate, sponsored by LGBT-rights organization Equality Arizona, saw all candidates claim that they believed in the rights of the gay and lesbian population of Phoenix, with Greg Stanton appearing the most supportive of gay rights, saying "I support equality" when asked if gay and lesbian partnerships should be recognized by the government.
held the second mayoral forum of the race, with the same four candidates as the first. However, in this debate, Mayoral hopefuls were asked to share their partisan affiliation. Eichenauer said he has became a Libertarian when he was a student, Claude Mattox told the crowd that he has been a Republican since he moved to Arizona. Gullett claimed to have been a registered
Republican since the 1980s, but supported Janet Napolitano
's bid for Governor; meanwhile, Greg Stanton won applause from the liberal-leaning audience when he responded, "I'm a Democrat and have always been a Democrat".
Wes Gullett promised visiting the top 25 businesses of the city within his first 100 days, whilst Greg Stanton pledged more accountability and transparency in government.
, community policing, education, impact fees, tax incentives for economic development, and public arts funding.
First ballot, August 30, 2011
Second ballot, November 8, 2011
Candidate web sites
Two-round system
The two-round system is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate...
on August 30, 2011, and November 8, 2011. Greg Stanton
Greg Stanton
Greg Stanton is the Democratic Mayor-elect of Phoenix, Arizona. He won the November 8, 2011 runoff election to succeed the term-limited Mayor Phil Gordon by more than 10 percentage points...
, a former city councilman, was elected over Wes Gullett, and will take office on January 3, 2012, succeeding Phil Gordon
Phil Gordon (politician)
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.-Early life, education, and early career:...
, who has held the office of Mayor of Phoenix since 2004. The election coinded with the 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...
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:*...
elections to the four odd-numbered districts (1, 3, 5, 7).
Background
Due to the City of Phoenix's limit of two four-year terms, current Mayor Phil Gordon is ineligible to run for mayor again. As all municipal elections in the City of Phoenix are nonpartisanNonpartisan
In political science, nonpartisan denotes an election, event, organization or person in which there is no formally declared association with a political party affiliation....
, the political affiliations of the respective candidates are not present on the ballot paper. In addition, the race is widely regarded as very competitive compared to previous elections, as the last three incumbent mayors ran with little to no opposition.
Candidates
All candidates had to at least 1500 signatures to appear on the August 30 ballot. The city clerk reviewed the signatures and candidates with enough valid signatures appeared on the ballot; the City Clerk had until June 11 at the latest to review all candidates' signatures. Thane Eichenauer failed to collect enough signatures to formally appear on the ballot, but says that he will run a write-in campaign.The following candidate collected enough signatures to appear on the ballot:
- Anna Brennan, businesswoman (RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
) - Wes Gullett, businessman and campaign worker (Republican)
- Claude Mattox, District 5 Councilman (Republican)
- Peggy NeelyPeggy NeelyPeggy Neely is an American politician and former member of the Phoenix City Council for Phoenix's 2nd Council District. The City of Phoenix is divided into eight council districts. First sworn into office in January 2002, Neely began serving her second term in January 2006, after being...
, former District 2 Councilwoman (Republican) - Greg Stanton, former District 6 Councilman and former Deputy Attorney GeneralAttorney GeneralIn most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
(DemocraticDemocratic 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...
) - Jennifer Wright, attorney (RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and Tea PartyTea Party movementThe Tea Party movement is an American populist political movement that is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian, and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009...
-affiliated)
District 11 Mayoral Forum
On Tuesday, May 10, 2011, the Arizona Legislative District 11 Republican Party invited Republican candidates Peggy Neely, Wes Gullett, Claude Mattox, and Jennifer Wright to a mayoral forum. All but Mattox attended, a Mattox campaign staff member claiming she never received an e-mail of details of the event.In reaction to the snub, Democratic candidate Greg Stanton said that if a Democratic-sponsored mayoral forum was held, he would not attend if Republicans were excluded.
Fundraising
Cash on hand As of 12/31/10- Wes Gullett- $54,600.00
- Claude Mattox-$340,000.00
- Peggy Neely- $88,000.00
- Greg Stanton-$89,000.00
Polling
Stanton vs. Gullett vs. Mattox vs. Neely, Motorola Group 01/24/11-01/28/11- Stanton-17.00%
- Gullett-8.20%
- Mattox-11.20%
- Neely-23.80%
April 4 debate
Candidates Thane Eichenauer, Wes Gullett, Claude Mattox and Greg Stanton attended the first debate of the campaign. Issues covered included public safety, economic development, education, and the issues of the LGBT community. They addressed the status of Public Safety Manager Jack Harris-who was suspended from overseeing the Phoenix Police Department- and the city's subsidy deal with CityNorth developers, a project that garnered the City of Phoenix a lawsuit over their alleged violation of the gift clause of the Arizona Constitution.The debate, sponsored by LGBT-rights organization Equality Arizona, saw all candidates claim that they believed in the rights of the gay and lesbian population of Phoenix, with Greg Stanton appearing the most supportive of gay rights, saying "I support equality" when asked if gay and lesbian partnerships should be recognized by the government.
April 19 debate
Phoenix CollegePhoenix College
Phoenix College is a community college located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Founded in 1920, it is one of the oldest community colleges in the country....
held the second mayoral forum of the race, with the same four candidates as the first. However, in this debate, Mayoral hopefuls were asked to share their partisan affiliation. Eichenauer said he has became a Libertarian when he was a student, Claude Mattox told the crowd that he has been a Republican since he moved to Arizona. Gullett claimed to have been a registered
Republican since the 1980s, but supported Janet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano
Janet Napolitano is the third and current United States Secretary of Homeland Security, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She is the fourth person to hold the position, which was created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the 21st...
's bid for Governor; meanwhile, Greg Stanton won applause from the liberal-leaning audience when he responded, "I'm a Democrat and have always been a Democrat".
Wes Gullett promised visiting the top 25 businesses of the city within his first 100 days, whilst Greg Stanton pledged more accountability and transparency in government.
May 3 debate
Watchdog group Citizens for Phoenix held the third debate, this time with one additional candidate, Peggy Neely. The five squared off over renewable energyRenewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
, community policing, education, impact fees, tax incentives for economic development, and public arts funding.
Results
Threshold > 50%First ballot, August 30, 2011
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Stanton | Democratic | 53,553 (37.9%) | Runoff |
| Wes Gullett | Republican | 29,020 (20.5%) | Runoff |
| Peggy Neely Peggy Neely Peggy Neely is an American politician and former member of the Phoenix City Council for Phoenix's 2nd Council District. The City of Phoenix is divided into eight council districts. First sworn into office in January 2002, Neely began serving her second term in January 2006, after being... |
Republican | 17,984 (12.7%) | Defeated |
| Claude Mattox | Republican | 16,842 (12%) | Defeated |
| Jennifer Wright | Republican | 16,739 (11.9%) | Defeated |
| Anna Brennan | Republican | 7,110 (5%) | Defeated |
| Others | various | 52 | Defeated |
Second ballot, November 8, 2011
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Stanton | Democratic | 56% | Elected |
| Wes Gullett | Republican | 43% | Defeated |
External links
- City of Phoenix Official Website - Election results
- ourcampaign.com's gallery of candidates
- Maricopa County Republican Committee: Overview of Republican races.
- Maricopa County Republican Committee: Ongoing news articles.
Candidate web sites