By Paulina Pineda | Arizona Republic
The mayor and three council seats are up for election in Chandler this year.
A political unknown has pulled paperwork to challenge Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke for the city’s top spot in this year’s election.
Ruth Jones, a relative newcomer to Chandler, filed a statement of interest with the city, one of the first steps to run for public office. She has been walking neighborhoods and meeting with voters and said she was pushed to run to address what she describes as a lack of vision for the city.
The City Council outlined a plan decades back to create a high-tech corridor along Price Road and prioritize attracting high-wage jobs. But in the last 10 to 15 years, there hasn’t been a clear plan for growth citywide, she said.
While Price Corridor is booming, she said other areas of the city have been forgotten.
Jones said her past work in finances and experience with development can help create “a clear vision that will keep moving Chandler forward.”
Her candidacy could set up a roadblock for Hartke, who ran unopposed in 2018. The city of some 275,000 residents southeast of Phoenix hasn’t seen a competitive mayoral race since 2006 when Boyd Dunn and Phill Westbrooks faced off for the city’s top seat.
Hartke said he’s up for the challenge and is proud of his city and the direction it’s going in. He wished Jones good luck in her effort.
Half of Chandler council seats also on ballot
Half the City Council seats are up for election this year. With two incumbents term-limited, the city is gearing up for a competitive race that will bring at least two new people to public office. Two-term Councilmembers Terry Roe and René Lopez can’t run again.
Nine candidates, so far, have pulled paperwork to run. The deadline to turn in signatures to qualify for the ballot is April 4.
