Diciccio, Keogh Parks square off in District 6

Incumbent Phoenix City Council members rarely face tough, well-financed re-election fights — but Sal DiCiccio has proved an exception.

A contentious and ideologically polarizing election is un- der way in east Phoenix and Ahwatukee Foothills as DiCiccio, well-known for his outspoken brand of politics, faces a challenge from insurance executive Karlene Keogh Parks.

From the get-go, a debate over fiscal reforms and the

scope of employee benefits and compensation dominated the race. DiCiccio has called the contest a referendum on the control of government unions, which oppose his reforms.

Union-backed groups have spent heavily to defeat him.

But Keogh Parks said she is not running to be the candidate of labor or any other group. In her view, the fight to oust DiCiccio is about restoring civility, respect and transparency at City Hall.

District 6 has long been one of the city’s most politically attuned districts, encompassing Ahwatukee Foothills and affluent enclaves such as the Biltmore area and parts of Arcadia and north-central Phoenix.

One of the clearest divides in the race has been the candidates’ stances on an early repeal of the city’s food tax, which the city implemented during the depths of the Great Recession.

Earlier this year, DiCiccio drove a council vote to repeal half of the 2 percent tax starting in January, arguing that the city has used it to pay for $137 million in employee pay raises since 2010 and could easily repeal it and cut back elsewhere. Hetried unsuccessfully to get the tax repealed in its entirety.

“There is more than enough money. You’re just not being told the complete facts on this,” DiCiccio told voters at a recent candidate debate, labeling it the “food-tax-for-pay-raise scheme.”

Keogh Parks has pushed back against DiCiccio’s characterization of the tax. She said the employee raises he cites are part of the city’s contracts with its employee unions, which cannot simply be broken. Phoenix will renegotiate those contracts later this year.

Like some on the council who opposed a full repeal of the food tax, Keogh Parks said she is concerned it might require cuts to vital services. She said she hopes to see half of the tax repealed, depending on the details of city management’s forthcoming plan to pay for it.

“But harming senior centers or afterschool programs or less police officers is not an option,” Keogh Parks said at the debate.

Another point of consternation has been DiCiccio’s strained relations with Early voting begins today for the City Council elections in Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8. The Phoenix city clerk must receive ballots no later than 7 p.m. on election day, Aug. 27. In print: Look for more information about the races in Valley & State: » Friday: District 8. Look for election details in Friday’s Phoenix and northeast Phoenix community editions. Online: Find the District 2 and 4 profiles as well as more details about each candidate, including videos, biographical information, positions on key topics and their answers to

questionnaire, at phoenix. azcentral.com. employee unions. Several groups, most visibly the state firefighter association, have blasted DiCiccio over what they see as a pattern of negative comments toward workers.

DiCiccio has criticized employee salary bumps and pensions, among other issues.

Outside groups backed by unions have poured money into the race, funding several attack mailers and hundreds of “Lobbyists (or Developers) Support Sal DiCiccio” signs.

Meanwhile, DiCiccio has raised more than $297,900 for his campaign and directly funded mailers attacking Keogh Parks.

Keogh Parks has gone on the offensive in the past two months. She has criticized DiCiccio for his blunt style, saying, “I’m a consensus-builder and not a bomb-thrower.”

DiCiccio said his aggressive approach has delivered results, including the partial repeal of the food tax, $80 million in efficiency savings, efforts to reform the system for employee pay raises and zero water, sewer or property-tax increases this year.

“They’ve targeted me because if they stop these reforms, they have unleashed ability to get to your pocketbook,” DiCiccio said. “They have a vested interest in making sure that my opponent wins this election.”

Early voting begins today, with many residents receiving ballots in their mailboxes. Because only two candidates are running in District 6, a winner will be declared after the Aug. 27 primary.