Outdoor temperatures soared to 110 last week, with more of the same in store this week.

That coincides with increasing heat on the local campaign trail. While Scottsdale weather continues its low humidity, the political scene here is growing “muggy.”

Indeed, a Scottsdale representative running for reelection is claiming a local powerhouse is attacking him.

“Axon has officially entered the Scottsdale City Council race,” Councilman Barry Graham posted last week.

Graham alleges Axon “wants to destroy my resident-friendly reputation.”

This led to an off-the-ropes response from the North Scottsdale-based Taser maker. Via a spokesman, Axon called Graham loose with the truth and “hypocritical.”

Meanwhile, the countdown is on for Scottsdale voting.

On Wednesday, June 24, Maricopa County will mail ballots as early voting begins.

July 21 is Primary Election Day.

While voting across the state will narrow the pool of Democrats and Republicans in various races, Scottsdale’s primary is “nonpartisan.”

Voters here will reduce a field of eight aiming for three City Council seats.

Last week, the Progress published the second part of candidates’ answers to extensive questionnaires (posted at scottsdale.org). 

Candidates also submitted guest columns to the Progress; see Page 26 in this edition.

The candidates, in alphabetical order:

  • Crystal Carroll, an Old Town cafe owner who says she is charged up to fight a parking garage;

  • Councilman Barry Graham, an accountant and leader of “the Conservative Bloc” who is running for reelection;

  • Ethan Knowlden, a former San Francisco attorney who is president of the DC Ranch Community Council;

  • Former Councilman Bob Littlefield, leader of the political action committee challenging Axon’s expansion;

  • Eric Sloan, a business owner who twice failed in runs for the Arizona Corporation Commission;

  • Michelle Ugenti-Rita, a former state senator and representative;

  • Councilwoman Solange Whitehead, running for a third term;

  • Raoul Zubia, a business consultant who failed in a 2022 run for City Council.

Graham has been trading shots with Whitehead over Scottsdale’s approach to recycled water. Whitehead repeatedly called for City Manager Greg Caton to commit funds to Scottsdale’s Advanced Water Purification system; Graham scoffs at the system as “toilets to taps.”

Graham shifted his focus with a June 12 social media post:

“Better Together – an Axon front group – has begun flooding the airwaves with attacks on frontrunners Bob Littlefield, Michelle Ugenti-Rita, and me – the only candidates who stood up to their massive apartment project and continue to oppose their goal to turn Scottsdale into a city that ‘surpasses Seattle’,” Graham posted.

He encouraged Scottsdale voters to be wary of Axon “hand-picking your City Council members.”

The short response, from Axon spokesman David Leibowitz:

“Axon is not ‘officially’ or directly involved in the Scottsdale Council races.”

Leibowitz ranted that Graham “simply makes stuff up – like the fantasy that he, Michelle ‘Scandal A Minute’ Ugenti, and ‘Dark Money’ Bob Littlefield are the ‘frontrunners.’ 

“There’s not a single credible poll that shows that. Zero.”

Two PACs and a counter attack

As the Progress reported last year, Axon Enterprises and Axon founder/Chief Executive Officer Rick Smith each contributed $500,000 to Arizonans for a Better Future. Josh Isner, the Axon president who has publicly battled Graham, chipped in $100,000 to the political action committee.

The Axon PAC put some of that money to use in TV ads attacking Graham in 2025.

Arizonans for a Better Future spent $582,000 – with $170,000 to Signal Research, $165,000 to Trailhead Strategic Communications and $16,000 to Leibowitz –  through the first quarter of this year, according to Transparency USA.

Now, according to its website that mirrors Arizonans for a Better Future, “Better Together is a political action committee committed to keeping our communities moving forward with practical, politically wise solutions that rise above partisanship.”

Better Together’s Facebook site claims it is “Cutting through the clutter of politics to enhance the economy, public safety, and individual freedom. A voice for common sense in a world of screaming.”

Better Together filed with the state June 5.

Chris Baker is its chairman.

Leibowitz is listed as Better Together’s treasurer.

Baker and Leibowitz have similar positions with Arizonans for a Better Future.

As they are on recycled water, Graham and Whitehead are sharply divided on Axon’s “international campus,” anchored by a new corporate office but also featuring apartment buildings and a hotel.

Whitehead supported the original 2024 Axon rezoning for 1,900 units, as well as a “memorandum of understanding” with the city earlier this year, which reduced the apartments to 1,200.

Graham voted against both.

Additionally, Graham and Ugenti-Rita spoke against the Axon plan at the State Capitol. But state legislatures ignored their protests, passing a bill that allowed Axon’s development – essentially nullifying a planned referendum.

Led by Bob Littlefield, Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions (TAAAZE) filed lawsuits challenging the state law and city-Axon deal.

Graham strongly suggested Axon wants far more than what the current deal with the city allows.

“Here’s the reality: if Axon’s executives can defeat those of us standing in their way, they can simply file another application and push it right back up to 2,500 units or more,” Graham alleged.

“Is that why their front groups are blanketing Scottsdale with lies about me?”

Ginny Harris posted a question to Graham:

“Who is funding your Anti-Axon group, please?”

She was referring to the longtime stance by Littlefield, who has refused to name the financial backer behind TAAAZE’s referendum-signature effort and court battles.

“have nothing to do with TAAAZE,” Graham said.

In May, TAAAZE reported income of $50,374, with 95% coming from the Mesa-based “dark money” conduit Public Integrity Alliance, and expenses of $49,640 – most in operating expenses. 

Leibowitz chimed in, alluding to Graham’s June 9 approval vote of a One Scottsdale request for 350 additional “housing units”:

“It’s no shock Barry Graham would lash out in a hypocritical way. It’s how he covers his tracks.”

‘No-party’ voters

Can only Democrats and Republicans voters participate in the Scottsdale primary?

“In Scottsdale, voters registered as Independent – or ‘No Party Preference’ – can vote in the primary election,” Holly Peralta, a city spokeswoman, said.

“However, they must choose which ballot they want to receive.

They may request a Democrat, Republican, or No Labels Party ballot, but can only vote in one party’s primary,” she said.

“All the party ballots will include the Scottsdale City Council contest as well. 

“Additionally, voters can request a non-partisan ballot, which will only include the Scottsdale City Council contest.”

Independents/no labels who want to participate by mail must request the ballot they want, according to Peralta.

This can be done online at BeBallotReady.vote or by calling 602-506-1511.

“If voting in person,” Peratla added, “they can select their preferred ballot at the voting location. 

“Voters should make sure to bring proper ID to the polls.”

‘Open house’

The Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce is hosting a June 22 “meet and greet” with the council candidates.

According to the Chamber, this will be a chance for the public “to meet and ask questions of the candidates, allowing them to articulate their visions and policies in an open, public environment.”

Each candidate will discuss “plans for addressing the city’s most pressing issues, ensuring all voices are heard and allowing the electorate to make sound and informed decisions at the ballot box.”

The open house starts at 5 p.m. Monday, June 22, at the Homestead Community Center at DC Ranch, 18600 N. 98th Street.

Attendance is free; registration is required. To register: scottsdalechamber.com.

Early voting

Beginning Wednesday, June 24, 2026, only certain voting locations will be open. 

All voting locations will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, July 21, from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. 

You can drop off your voted mail ballot at the following locations starting Wednesday, June 24, through Monday, July 20:

Scottsdale City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center, 510 S. 3rd Ave.

Phoenix. Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Maricopa County Recorder/Elections, 222 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa. Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week starting Wednesday, June 24.