Arizona’s former state schools superintendent plans to run for Peoria City Council after a controversial development proposal near her neighborhood advances and could be approved by the council this coming week.
Two candidates have filed statements of interest in running for north Peoria’s Mesquite District seat vacated by Bridget Binsbacher as she runs for mayor. One is Planning and Zoning Commissioner Brad Shafer and the other is Diane Douglas, the at-times controversial elected state schools superintendent who served from 2015 to 2018.
Douglas, who also served as a Peoria school board member, worked to replace Arizona’s academic standards and fought Gov. Doug Ducey over hiring and firing practices during her tenure.
Shafer was the lone resident to apply to be appointed to the vacancy, which the City Council is expected to vote on by May 4.
The appointment is a stop-gap measure until a special election is held in November.
At least one of the issues that has Mesquite residents engaged is a proposed 45-acre development called The Trailhead that would include apartments, a church, grocery store, restaurants and shops at 83rd Avenue and Happy Valley Road.At least 115 residents have written to the city in support of the project, while 93 have expressed opposition, according to city documents.
