Here is the advice Greg Stanton gave Phoenix Mayor-elect Kate Gallego
Mar 14, 2019, 9:16 AM | Updated: 9:28 am
PHOENIX — U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton is passing the Phoenix mayoral baton, so to speak, to Mayor-elect Kate Gallego.
Even though Stanton has not led the city since last summer, when he resigned to make a successful congressional run, he still had some advice for his successor.
“The reality is this, you’ve got to be a consensus builder,” Stanton told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Thursday.
“Work hard at building consensus on that city council. Never substitute the perfect for the good. Move forward with good public policy even if it’s not the perfect public policy,” he added.
“Take into account the interests of every good faith member of that Phoenix City Council.”
RELATED STORIES
Gallego was elected as mayor on Tuesday after defeating fellow Democrat Daniel Valenzuela, 58 percent to 41.
After her election, Gallego continued to emphasize her priorities, including investing in public safety, tackling the city’s high debt and planning for the future.
“My top priority and my background is in economic development, moving us toward high-wage jobs, and we need to plan ahead for the economy of the future,” Gallego told Arizona’s Morning News on Wednesday.
Stanton and Gallego had worked together on the city council from 2013 to 2018. The former mayor pointed to some of her success on the council as reasons why she will be able to lead Phoenix.
“With her leadership, the city passed a strong sexual harassment policy and equal pay for equal work,” Stanton said.
“She has a track record of success already, she’s going to have a track record of success as mayor of the city of Phoenix so I’m really excited about her winning the race and her leadership.
“I’m confident she will be a good leader for the city.”
