I don't know Thane Eichenauer but if he is a REAL Libertarian, he will be for legalizing ALL drugs and stopping the illegal and unconstitutional drug war at the city level. (Not just decriminalizing drugs as some phony baloney Libertarians want)
Phoenix mayoral candidates to hold 1st debate
4 candidates to discuss gay, citywide issues at rights group's forum
Get a whiff, Phoenix.
Campaign signs, fundraisers, petition gathering.
Election season is in the air, and if you haven't noticed yet, start paying attention because on Monday, Equality Arizona hosts the first debate in the city's mayoral race.
Candidates vying to replace Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, who has reached his term limit, will discuss citywide issues and give their stances on gay and lesbian issues starting at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.
Equality Arizona, a civil-rights organization that advocates on behalf of the gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual communities, is hosting the event.
"What's exciting is that for the first time in eight years, we're going to have a new mayor," said Sam Castaņeda Holdren, Equality Arizona public-relations director.
"It's an open race and there are a lot of different choices for voters and a lot of different choices for the gay and lesbian community."
Castaņeda Holdren said about 30 to 40 percent of the questions during the forum will be specifically about gay and lesbian issues, and the rest of the time will allow candidates to discuss citywide topics.
"Gay and lesbian voters aren't just interested in gay and lesbian issues," Holdren said.
"They're interested in public safety, education, business and economic development."
Four candidates have confirmed for the event.
- Thane Eichenauer, who ran for state treasurer last year as a Libertarian.
- Consultant Wes Gullett.
- City Councilman Claude Mattox.
- Former City Councilman Greg Stanton.
The forum will be moderated by Channel 5 News reporter Donna Rossi.
Councilwoman Peggy Neely, who has an exploratory committee for mayor, will not be at the forum, said Castaņeda Holdren.
Neely has not officially declared her candidacy for the race, and she is scheduled to be at a fundraiser for her exploratory committee at the same time as the forum.
John Horozanskyj, who has filed papers to be a mayoral candidate, has not been actively campaigning and will not be at the forum.
This year's mayoral election will be one of the most competitive races the city has seen in years, said Jim Pederson, a Phoenix resident and former chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party.
Pederson, who considered running for mayor this year but decided against it, said it's still early in the campaign but the race "will be very competitive and very close."
Pederson said one of the main issues of this election will likely focus around job creation and what needs to be done as Phoenix recovers from the recession.
The forum, which is open to the public, starts at 7 p.m. but doors open at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, 340 N. Third St., Phoenix.
The election is Aug. 30, with a runoff, if necessary, scheduled for Nov. 7.
Residents can submit a question for the four candidates at the forum at www.equalityarizona.org .
Phoenix has 6 mayoral hopefuls who hope to make August ballot
Ready. Set. Campaign! The race for Phoenix mayor is in full swing as candidates blanket the city to meet voters, collect signatures to qualify for the ballot and raise campaign money. So far, six candidates have filed paperwork with the Phoenix city clerk to express their interest in the seat Mayor Phil Gordon will vacate in January.
Here's a quick snapshot of the candidates who have filed so far.
THANE EICHENAUER, 43. Has lived in Phoenix for less than a year, recently moving from Tempe. He was born in Glendale and was raised in Tempe. Single. Worked in tech support for ASAP Staffing. Now a freelance chess tutor. Ran as the Libertarian Party candidate for state treasurer in 2010. Ran for Congress in District 1 in 2008. Keeping campaign on a grass-roots level, but probably even more so than Stanton. Eichenauer considers himself the underdog in the race and plans to keep his spending below $500.
WES GULLETT, 49. Married to Deb Gullett. Three children: Kelly, Katie and Nikki.Founding partner of FirstStrategic Communications and Public Affairs, which does lobbying, strategic-planning and public-policy work. Former member of the Phoenix Planning Commission, served as chief of staff to Gov. Fife Symington and worked for U.S. Sen. John McCain. Launched a "Listening Tour" last fall to start meeting residents and develop policy agendas. Gullett's team started "Wednesday for Wes," hosting a weekly special activity or call to action on Facebook or other social-media channel to get people involved in his campaign. wesgullett.com/
JOHN HOROZANSKYJ, 65. Born in Naples, Italy, and lived in Chicago for 30 years before moving to Arizona. He's lived in Phoenix for more than 25 years. On disability as a retired member of the U.S. Marine Corps; served during the Vietnam War. Little community or political involvement. As of March 15, Horozanskyj was struggling to find people to serve as campaign chair and treasurer. No website.
CLAUDE MATTOX, 57. Mattox has lived in west Phoenix with his wife, Sherri, since 1979. Vice president of National Western Vistas Real Estate. Started his first four-year term on City Council in 2000, serving District 5, which covers Maryvale and parts of west and central Phoenix. Mattox has banked the most money in fundraising efforts and has cash left over from his last council campaign, but he also started the earliest. Mattox launched an exploratory committee in fall 2009. Mattox recently won the endorsement of the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona. www.mattoxformayor.com/.
PEGGY NEELY, 52. Married to Brian Neely with two daughters, Gloria and Mackenzie.A real-estate broker who owned Arizona Home Team. First elected to City Council for District 2 in 2001. Served as chair of the Paradise Valley Village Planning Committee and recently was chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council.Neely isn't an official candidate yet. She says will announce her decision this spring. If she runs, she will have to resign her City Council seat. She has been holding "visioning sessions" to meet voters and, in January, netted more than $125,000 in a single fundraiser. peggyneelyexploratory.com/
GREG STANTON, 41. Raised in west Phoenix and graduated from Cortez High School. Married to Nicole Stanton. Two children: Trevor and Violet. Former deputy state attorney general for Terry Goddard. Former Phoenix city councilman. Worked for Quarles & Brady. Phoenix councilman for nine years, representing District 6, which covers Arcadia, the Biltmore area and Ahwatukee. Focusing on field work and mobilizing on a grass-roots level. On the weekend of March 11, volunteers collected signatures at First Friday. They gathered more than 2,000 signatures in four days. Stanton launched his campaign at a restored Phoenix warehouse downtown to highlight his focus on historic preservation. greg2011.com/
ELECTION DATES
To request an early ballot, call 602-261-VOTE (8683) or mail a signed letter listing your name, address and phone number to the City Clerk Department, Elections Division, 200 W. Washington St., 15th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003.
May 2: Residents can start requesting early ballots.
June 1: Deadline for candidates to submit nominating petitions.
July 21: Last day for write-in candidates to file nomination papers.
Aug. 1: Last day to register to vote.
Aug. 5: City clerk certifies list of candidates.
Aug. 19: Last day to request early ballot by mail.
Aug. 26: Last day to vote at an early-voting location.
Aug. 27: Voting begins and continues to Aug. 29.
Aug. 30: Election day; results available by 8 p.m.
More election coverage
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