By Sasha Hupka Arizona Republic
Six people are vying for three seats on the Chandler City Council. Voters will also see a contested mayoral race for the first time in 16 years during the Aug. 2 election.
With a contested mayoral election and six people vying for three at-large seats on City Council, Chandler voters have a lot to consider ahead of the Aug. 2 election.
The landlocked city is facing questions around housing affordability and land use as it approaches build-out. Residents also have raised concerns around safety, sustainability and the preservation of neighborhoods and small businesses as the city grows.
Chandler voters will decide between Mayor Kevin Hartke, who seeks a second term, and challenger Ruth Jones, who moved to Chandler two years ago from Clearfield, Utah, where she served on the city’s planning commission.
Council candidates include Angel Encinas, Darla Gonzalez, Jane Poston, Farhana Shifa and write-in candidate Cody Hannah, who filed paperwork to qualify for the election last week. Additionally, incumbent Matt Orlando is running for a sixth term on the council.
At least two of the people elected to the council will be new, as councilmembers Terry Roe and René Lopez could not run again because of term limits.
Elections will take place on Aug. 2. Ballots will be sent starting July 6 to those who have registered to vote by mail.
Those who choose to vote by mail are advised to mail their ballot by July 26 or drop it off at a ballot drop-off location or voting location by 7 p.m. on election day.
The Arizona Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Chandler. Here’s how they responded.
