By Alison Steinbach | Arizona Republic
Brigette Peterson played up her experience in town government while Matt Nielsen touted his private sector work in an hour-long Gilbert mayoral debate on Thursday.
The debate, hosted by The Arizona Republic, gave the two candidates a platform to talk about their often-similar conservative views on town finances, social services and the pandemic.
Gilbert is guaranteed a new mayor as Jenn Daniels did not seek reelection and resigned in August, a week after the primary election that sent Nielsen and Peterson to the Nov. 3 runoff.
The key difference between the two conservative candidates is the insider versus outsider perspectives. Peterson is a veteran in town politics, while Nielsen is a political newcomer.
Both see that to their advantage.
