Valenzuela running:
Hours after Stanton’s announcement, Councilman Daniel Valenzuela says he’s running for mayor.
Just two hours after Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton launched his campaign for Congress, Councilman Daniel Valenzuela announced his intent to run for the top city office.
If successful, Valenzuela would be the first Latino mayor of Phoenix. He is a Glendale firefighter and has served on the Phoenix City Council since 2012.
Valenzuela, a Democrat, has focused on public safety, innovation, education and health during his council tenure.
“I know how big the responsibility is and I certainly do not take it lightly but I am excited for the responsibility,” Valenzuela said in an interview. “I sincerely love our city.”
If elected, Valenzuela said he’d get the council back on track. He said he’s seen too much of the national political division seep into the council’s conversation and distract from issues.
“We need less politics and more governing,” he said.
Valenzuela’s announcement is the latest in a series of political dominos that began to fall last week when Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Phoenix, announced she would run against U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake. That move cleared the way for Stanton to run for Sinema’s seat, and has now allowed Valenzuela to launch campaign for mayor.
Valenzuela will eventually have to resign from his council post, but not until Stanton leaves. Stanton does not have to leave office until he submits his elections 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.