ALSO Gallego running for mayor:
Councilwoman Kate Gallego said she will run for mayor less than a week after Mayor Greg Stanton announced he will leave the city’s top spot to run for Congress. Councilman Daniel Valenzuela also plans to run for mayor.
Recently re-elected Councilwoman Kate Gallego has her eyes on an even bigger position: mayor of Phoenix.
Less than a week after Mayor Greg Stanton announced he will leave the city’s top spot to run for Congress, Gallego is the second Democrat on the council to announce interest in the position.
If elected, Gallego would be just the second woman elected mayor in Phoenix.
“It’s a really exciting time now for Phoenix. We’re the fastest-growing city in the country and when you’re adding more people than any other city, you have to be smart about how you grow,” she said in an interview.
Gallego has represented District 8, which covers parts of central and south Phoenix, since 2014.
Her priorities while on council have included transportation, infrastructure, neighborhood safety and equal pay for women.
Prior to her council election, Gallego worked in strategic planning and economic development for Salt River Project.
“I think I have a good background for the particular challenges ahead,” she said.
Councilman Daniel Valenzuela announced his candidacy for mayor just hours after Stanton’s congressional campaign announcement on Thursday.
Both council members, along with any others who decide to run for mayor, will eventually have to resign — but not until after Stanton vacates his post.
Stanton does not have to leave office until he submits his election petitions, which are due May 30. But he could choose to leave earlier to focus on his congressional campaign.
The mayoral election could be in March, May, August or November depending on the date of Stanton’s resignation.
The sooner he resigns, the sooner the city can call for an election.
As with Stanton, Gallego and Valenzuela will not have to resign until they submit election petitions.