What is your biggest priority?<\/strong><\/p>\nCarroll: My top priority is keeping Scottsdale financially strong, safe, and resident-focused. I\u2019ll promote transparent leadership, responsible spending, and long-term planning while ensuring residents \u2013 not special interests \u2013 have a voice in decisions impacting their neighborhoods and quality of life.<\/p>\n
Graham: Preserving residents’ quality of life by providing fiscal discipline that keeps taxes low, restores residents’ values to city government, maintains strong public safety, protects residents from harmful ideas disguised as progress, and continues my resident-friendly commitment to put taxpayers first.<\/p>\n
Knowlden: We must invest for water sustainability. In 2024, Council approved a 5-year strategic plan calling for these investments, but our current Council majority has abandoned that plan without offering any alternative. We need to reaffirm our commitment to invest in all the options outlined in the 2024 strategic plan.<\/p>\n
Littlefield: Stopping overdevelopment.<\/p>\n
Sloan: Public safety. Scottsdale residents deserve to feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, parks, and businesses. That means fully supporting police, fire, and first responders, making smart investments in staffing, equipment, and training \u2026 I am the only candidate endorsed by Sheriff Jerry Sheridan, County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, and the Scottsdale Police.<\/p>\n
Ugenti-Rita: Protecting Scottsdale\u2019s quality of life, neighborhoods, and distinctive character. I support responsible growth, safe communities, fiscal discipline, and a city government that listens to residents instead of special interests.<\/p>\n
Whitehead: I\u2019m running to restore traditions that made Scottsdale a success story: putting residents first, conservatively managing tax dollars, keeping Scottsdale naturally beautiful and safe, and to deliver on a headline that has been my focus for eight years: \u201cScottsdale Thrives; Unscathed by Reductions in Colorado River Water.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zubia: My biggest priority is to restore focus, stability, and trust in Scottsdale\u2019s government. I\u2019ll prioritize the basics: public safety, water security, and a resilient economy. Success will be measured by improved emergency response times, infrastructure maintenance, and, most importantly, whether residents feel their voices are heard and their city is accountable.<\/p>\n
How does your background qualify you as a city council candidate?<\/strong><\/p>\nZubia: I believe good governance relies on rigorous discipline. My banking background provides me with the fiscal precision required to manage Scottsdale\u2019s budget responsibly, keep taxes low, and protect our infrastructure \u2026 I will balance economic growth with your priorities, ensuring our government remains transparent, accountable, and focused on results.<\/p>\n
Whitehead: I\u2019m an engineer and Preserve advocate that has delivered on resident priorities. I\u2019ve protected neighborhoods, funded infrastructure, dedicated new parks while securing 30-years of funding to revitalize our older parks, lowered heights in Old Town, paid down $150M in ballooning pension debt, doubled financial reserves, and lowered tax rates.<\/p>\n
Ugenti-Rita: I bring experience no other candidate in this race has. I represented Scottsdale in both the Arizona House and Senate, chaired Government Committees overseeing cities, and worked directly alongside Scottsdale on major policy issues. I know how to navigate government and won\u2019t have to learn on the job like my opponents.<\/p>\n
Sloan: I am a husband, father, small business owner, and longtime Scottsdale resident. I have built a family business, balanced budgets, and served in state and local roles focused on economic development, veterans, public safety, and community service.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Littlefield: I have more experience on City Council than anyone else running. Plus I have spent the last decade while I have been off council as a neighborhood activist working against overdevelopment.<\/p>\n
Knowlden: I am an experienced international business leader. I\u2019ve overcome language, cultural and other barriers to negotiate successful deals. I\u2019m trained to read a spreadsheet and to write a 100-page agreement. My background helps me find solutions where others cannot. My skills and experiences can benefit the city and its residents.<\/p>\n
Graham: In my first term, I earned residents\u2019 trust as the only candidate who voted against thousands of apartments\u2014including Axon\u2019s. As Arizona\u2019s only elected CPA on a city council, I exposed $150M in cost overruns, driving reforms that restored funding for public safety, road maintenance, and responsible capital projects.<\/p>\n
Carroll: I bring real-world business and budgeting experience, having built and managed successful companies. As a small business owner and Scottsdale resident, I understand the challenges families and businesses face and will focus on practical, sustainable solutions for our city.<\/p>\n
How do you describe your leadership style?<\/strong><\/p>\nLittlefield: Blunt and straightforward.<\/p>\n
Whitehead: I view problems as incredible opportunities to do better. I listen to our 240,000 residents, staff and subject experts, and my Council colleagues when contemplating policies. Open meeting laws are critical because government transparency and public debates deliver the best outcomes and build public trust.<\/p>\n
Sloan: Practical, direct, and results-oriented. I listen, gather facts, respect different viewpoints, and focus on solving problems. City government should not be driven by rhetoric or personal politics. I will focus on being accountable, responsive, and data-focused to deliver results for residents.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Knowlden: My leadership style focuses on service. I prioritize the growth and success of individuals by listening and emphasizing collaboration. I praise in public and address concerns in private. By empowering people and building trust, this approach creates stronger teams, fosters shared purpose, and achieves sustainable success through humility.<\/p>\n
Ugenti-Rita: Direct, transparent, collaborative, and resident-focused.<\/p>\n
Zubia: Leadership is not a top-down mandate, but a collaborative exercise in problem-solving. Effective governance requires the discipline to listen to residents and stakeholders, gathering the best ideas to build a durable consensus \u2026 By choosing open communication and valuing every voice, we ensure our community is respected, heard, and moving forward together.<\/p>\n
Carroll: My leadership style is collaborative, transparent, and results-driven. I believe in listening to residents, bringing people together, and making thoughtful, data-driven decisions that prioritize Scottsdale\u2019s long-term success over politics or personal agendas.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Graham: I listen first, ask hard questions, follow the facts and data, and treat residents and colleagues with respect. I also do my homework on the issues so I’m able to help residents understand them, which allows them to form their opinions based on accurate information.<\/p>\n
What is your position on the Axon planned development?<\/strong><\/p>\nUgenti-Rita: I supported Axon\u2019s original headquarters, but oppose their massive high-density apartment development. Unlike Democrat Councilwoman Whitehead, who spearheaded the project and voted to repeal the Axon referendum and take away your right to vote, I believe Scottsdale residents deserve to be heard, especially on decisions that permanently impact their community.<\/p>\n
Carroll: Axon development was approved by a previous Council, my focus is ensuring growth is managed responsibly moving forward. Residents deserve transparency, accountability, and involvement while the city carefully addresses impacts on traffic, infrastructure, water, and quality of life. Disappointed the Council voted three times against allowing voters to decide \u2026<\/p>\n
Knowlden: The state legislature and governor have decided, with bipartisan support, that Axon is a valuable employer they wish to retain in our state. If the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court find fault with the law, our state legislature will revise it to correct the identified errors.<\/p>\n
Whitehead: I negotiated a win for residents: only 600 apartments, millions in community investments, 600 condominiums, water requirements met, and kept Axon World Headquarters in Scottsdale. Axon keeps us safer and establishes Scottsdale as the global destination for law enforcement, research, and conferences \u2013 a desirable tourism sector that keeps our taxes lower!<\/p>\n
Zubia: Axon\u2019s new headquarters brings high-paying jobs and vital revenue, boosting Scottsdale\u2019s economic future. While blocking the referendum sidelined resident voices, penalizing job creators for political points is wrong. We must embrace this growth while<\/p>\n
restoring a framework that fiercely protects both local innovation and the public\u2019s fundamental right to be heard.<\/p>\n
Graham: I’m the only Councilmember running for re-election who voted \u201cNO\u201d on Axon\u2019s 1,900-apartment proposal. After the “Axon Bill” drama at the legislature, the November 2025 City Council vote was disgraceful: Council canceled the 27,000-signature resident referendum, waived water requirements, and gave Axon unprecedented self-certification perks.<\/p>\n
Sloan: The Axon question was negotiated and voted on by the current council. I support economic development, good jobs, and innovation, while also requiring transparency, infrastructure planning, traffic mitigation, and respect for nearby residents.<\/p>\n
Littlefield: No, no a thousand times no! I fought it tooth and nail.<\/p>\n
To be continued \u2026<\/p>\n
June 22 open house<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce a June 22 \u201copen house\u201d for candidates running for City Council.<\/p>\n
According to the business group, this will be a chance for the public \u201cto meet and ask questions of the candidates, allowing them to articulate their visions and policies in an open, public environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Each candidate will discuss \u201cplans 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The open house starts at 5 p.m. Monday, June 22, at the Homestead Community Center at DC Ranch, 18600 N. 98th Street.<\/p>\n
Attendance is free; registration is required.<\/p>\n
To register or for more information, visit scottsdalechamber.com<\/a>.<\/p>\nKey dates<\/strong><\/p>\nJune 22: Last day to register to vote in the July 21 Primary Election.<\/p>\n
June 24: Early voting begins and early ballots mailed.<\/p>\n
July 21: Primary Election Day<\/p>\n
Oct. 5: Last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 General Election.<\/p>\n
Oct. 7: Early voting begins and early ballots mailed<\/p>\n
Nov. 3: General Election Day<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"At any even moderate-sized intersection around Scottsdale, you see them. Each has a similar, direct plea: \u201cVote for…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":850484,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5131],"tags":[5229,5643,1587,166900,166898,5310,304829,270106,270103,1589,241098,7600,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":["post-850483","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-phoenix","tag-america","tag-arizona","tag-az","tag-barry-graham","tag-bob-littlefield","tag-city-council","tag-crystal-carroll","tag-ethan-knowlden","tag-michelle-ugenti-rita","tag-phoenix","tag-raoul-zubia","tag-scottsdale","tag-united-states","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-unitedstates","tag-unitedstatesofamerica","tag-us","tag-usa"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/116708349487472837","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/850483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=850483"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/850483\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/850484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=850483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=850483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=850483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}