This fall, Scottsdale residents not only have the opportunity to go to the polls to elect a new president but to elect a new mayor as well.
Former Scottsdale city councilman Bob Littlefield is seeking to block incumbent Mayor Jim Lane from election to his third term on Tuesday, November 8, in a battle that is setting itself up as a referendum on the direction Lane is taking the city.
Littlefield believes that Scottsdale is headed in the wrong direction and has been vocal in his opposition to the development of taller buildings, high-density apartments, and the downtown entertainment district. Lane contends that his efforts made Scottsdale financially stronger and helped usher it out of the Great Recession.
A third potential candidate, Bill Crawford, decided not to run and has instead endorsed Lane, saying that the only reason he considered entering in the first place was to prevent Littlefield from becoming mayor. In an editorial piece, he explains, “I want to keep Scottsdale moving forwards, not backwards.”
Crawford also cites the fact that Littlefield’s wife, Kathy Littlefield, is currently on the city council as another reason he wanted to run against him. Electing Littlefield mayor would essentially give him two votes in city matters, Crawford argues.
However, after meeting with Lane, Crawford decided that the best way to stop Littlefield was to throw his support behind the incumbent. Crawford says he and Lane largely hold the same positions and see stopping Littlefield as the priority.
In addition to voting for a new mayor, you’ll have the opportunity to vote to fill three city council seats. The four candidates competing for those seats are Suzanne Klapp, Virginia Korte, Guy Phillips, and Dan Schweiker.
