Kevin Robinson is running for Phoenix City Council. His Phoenix residency was contested, but a judge ruled he could remain on the ballot. || Courtesy of Kevin Robinson
ByTaylor Seely || The Arizona Republic
A frontrunner contestant for Phoenix City Council will be allowed to remain on the ballot, a judge ruled Tuesday, after another contender claimed he did not live in the city in hopes he’d be barred from running.
Kevin Robinson is a former Phoenix police officer and the hand-picked choice of Mayor Kate Gallego to replace outgoing District 6 Councilmember Sal DiCiccio, who is term limited.
But an attorney for opponent Moses Sanchez argued in Maricopa County Superior Court on Monday that Robinson was actually a resident of Scottsdale and that he disingenuously rented a Phoenix house to run for office but didn’t permanently live there, which city code requires.
Challenges to candidates’ eligibility are a regular part of the campaign process, but often indicate competitiveness within a race.
Judge Scott McCoy rejected the arguments in a court ruling, saying while some of the facts suggested Robinson may not regularly stay at his rental home in Phoenix, there was sufficient evidence to show he was a resident of the district and has the intent to continue residing in the area.
Robinson and Sanchez are two of eight contestants competing to represent District 6 in Phoenix, which encompasses the eastern and southern portions of the city.
The spot is highly coveted as various factions of the city council are hoping to replace DiCiccio, an outspoken conservative, with a more agreeable member to form a coalition.
Watchdog or ‘disruptor’? His legacy debated, Phoenix Councilman Sal DiCiccio is coming upon his last year
