As her term runs through 2028, Mayor Lisa Borowsky was not on the July 21 primary ballot.
But she is certainly an interested onlooker – and hardly partial, judging from a blistering attack on a Scottsdale City Council candidate.
After Borowsky blasted Councilman Barry Graham – including that he “stated a lot of false statements” and uttered “a flat-out lie” – at a July 1 meeting, Graham may have figured he was safe from further mayoral scolding, since City Council is on break until the end of August.
Not so.
In a hotter-than-the-weather July 12 email, Borowsky stated Graham has “brought shame” to Scottsdale City Hall, urging voters to reject Graham’s reelection effort.
“The persistent, disturbing conduct of Councilman Barry Graham has created a toxic environment that is palpable throughout City Hall,” Borowsky wrote.
The mayor’s hint to voters:
“Scottsdale should not reward such an individual with a second term.”
Graham’s response?
“No comment,” he told the Progress.
Echoing critiques from the pro-Axon PAC Better Together, the mayor’s venomous email underlined an independent panel’s finding that Graham violated the city’s code of ethics. Borowsky also seconded unproven allegations that Graham is the mastermind of the nasty troll “Scottdale Voter” – aka “ScottsdaleVoter” – and related anonymous social media groups.
“Not only has Mr. Graham brought shame to the office he holds, by way of ethics violations and overt marginalization of residents and business owners, he is also an active participant, if not the sole director, of incessant, vicious attacks on our residents, our business owners and, of course, his fellow elected – officials – launching grotesque missives daily from his ‘anonymous’ blogs.”
On cue, the X (formerly Twitter) account SV/ScottsdaleVoter responded.
“Mayor Lisa Borowsky just dropped a confusing, whiny hit piece on conservative incumbent Barry Graham days before the primary,” he/she/they posted.
The anonymous troll insisted Borowsky begged Graham for an endorsement when she ran for mayor.
“The unpopular first term Mayor urges residents to vote for anyone, including Axon Dems Whitehead, Ethan Knowlden, and Raoul Zubia, over Graham,” howled SV, who has 2,866 followers.
Indeed, after a long tirade against Graham, Borowsky offered “a brief outline” of the other seven candidates running for three City Council seats.
Bob Littlefield and Michelle Ugenti-Rita are unofficially running with Graham on a “conservative ticket.”
Yet Borowsky had little criticism to offer the other two.
She did call out Bob Littlefield for helping to block the Borowsky-led attempt for an early election on the Axon referendum. A City Council vote rejected that idea – and later state legislation neutered the TAAAZE-led referendum.
“Graham and Bob Littlefield needed a campaign issue to run on and having the election wait until this November suited their needs,” Borowsky wrote.
The mayor said she pushed for an early vote multiple times, “but Mr. Graham killed the idea all three times.”
She then returned to her earlier accusations about Graham have a slippery relationship with the truth:
“He is lying to you about wanting the referendum election – he wanted his own political self-preservation more,” Borowsky wrote.
Without giving an outright endorsement, Borowsky was most positive about Crystal Carroll.
The mayor called the political newcomer “a successful and proud business owner …
“Ms. Carroll’s priorities include supporting local businesses.”
Borowsky was also supportive of Ethan Knowlden, another newcomer to Scottsdale politics:
“Mr. Knowlden’s support for advanced water recycling distinguishes him from several candidates who oppose that approach,” Borowsky wrote.
Though Bob Littlefield – a former councilman who chaired the Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions PAC to challenge Axon’s development plan – was highly critical of Borowsky for not supporting his effort, Borowsky takes a middle ground in her voting guide.
“In his candidate statement, Mr. Littlefield identifies overdevelopment as a major challenge facing Scottsdale,” Borowsky’s July 12 email stated.
Borowsky described Eric Sloan’s campaign as “centered on public safety, fiscal responsibility and preserving Scottsdale’s quality of life.”
The mayor states Michelle Ugenti-Rita, a former state representative, “opposes high-density residential development projects she believes are incompatible with Scottsdale’s character, including the proposed Axon development.”
Borowsky had somewhat surprising summary of Councilwoman Solange Whitehead, running for her third term:
“While Councilwoman Whitehead and I have parted ways on significant policy decisions, her professionalism and preparedness on City Council related business are indisputable.”
As for Raoul Zubia, the mayor states, “Zubia reports his top priorities as protect neighborhoods, responsible growth and restore decorum to City Council.”
Ironically, the tone of Borowsky’s anti-Graham screed was rather uncivil.
“Mr. Graham,” Borowsky insisted, “has cemented himself on City Council as both the baby and the bully.”
Hardly the case, according to ScottsdaleVoter and their followers.
“Lisa is by far the most disappointing local office holder,” Derek Helbert commented, in reply to SV’s defense of Graham.
As usual, SV got in the last word:
“We hear that about Axon groveling @MayorBorowsky all the time.”