By Gary Nelson
The Arizona Republic
The selection of Mesa’s vice mayor, normally a low-key exercise in City Council back-slapping, turned into a tense drama Monday night as the council rebuked Mayor Scott Smith in a stunning 5-2 vote.
The outcome was the selection of Alex Finter, a council veteran and former Mesa firefighter, as next in line to lead the city.
The process might have been dicey in any event because three members — Finter, Dina Higgins and Dave Richins — fit the traditional criteria for the post. They joined the council at the same time in 2008, and none has served as vice mayor before.
The selection was imbued with special significance because of speculation that Smith could resign to run for governor in 2014.
The vice mayor at that time would chair the council until a special mayoral election could be conducted and, should he or she have mayoral ambitions, would have at least the psychological edge of incumbency.
Smith launched Monday’s discussion by nominating Richins, citing his experience both on council and with numerous committees. “He has served admirably,” Smith said.
Smith’s motion died for lack of a second.
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