Phoenix mayor race will be a runoff in March

Votes were cast in Phoenix last night to determine who would be the new mayor for the nation’s fifth-largest city. With 45 percent and 26 percent of the vote respectively, candidates Kate Gallego and Daniel Valenzuela have secured their spots in a run-off election to occur in March.

Gallego was elected to the Phoenix City Council in 2013, representing Phoenix District 8. Before being elected to office, Gallego worked in Strategic Planning and Economic Development for Salt River Project. Gallego received an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard University.

Gallego released the following on Twitter this morning:

Valenzuela is a Phoenix native and was elected to the Phoenix City Council in 2012, representing Phoenix District 5. Prior to being an elected official, he worked as an instructor for the Arizona Department of Emergency Management and the director of the National Fire and Rescue Services Information Officer Network. Valenzuela has also been a firefighter for more than 15 years.

“Above all else, I want to thank the people of our great city,” Valenzuela said to his supporters at his election night party. “Your votes at the ballot box today were far more than a demonstration of support of my candidacy. It represents the collective desire to keep Phoenix moving in the right direction through good paying jobs, improving our educational offerings and outcomes, and keeping our neighborhoods safe. So, enjoy our celebration. Let’s have fun this evening. And then starting tomorrow, it’s on to March.”

Moses Sanchez, a Navy veteran and professor, and Nick Sarwark, a Phoenix lawyer also sought the mayoral seat.

Former mayor Greg Stanton resigned to run for Congressional District 9. Because none of the candidates received 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election will take place on March 12 to determine who will become the next Phoenix mayor.

Thelda Williams currently serves as interim mayor.

Morgan Carr

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