By Maria Polletta and Parker Leavitt | The Arizona Republic
Former Mesa Mayor Scott Smith had no sooner announced his resignation and gubernatorial bid than the city began to hum with questions.
Who would replace the political dynamo, since then-Vice Mayor Alex Finter had no lasting mayoral ambitions? And would that person embrace Smith’s forward-thinking strategies or aim to turn back the clock?
Mesa voters on Aug. 26 answered the first question, handing lawyer and former Vice Mayor John Giles a resounding victory with more than 70 percent of the vote.
On Sept. 18, Giles answered the second one.
