Phoenix Councilwoman Kate Gallego to resign in August to run for mayor
Jul 26, 2018, 6:51 PM | Updated: Aug 7, 2018, 5:04 pm
(Facebook Photo)
(Facebook Photo)
PHOENIX — Councilwoman Kate Gallego announced she would step down from her post with the Phoenix City Council next month in order to pursue a run for Phoenix mayor.
Gallego, who announced her bid for former Mayor Greg Stanton’s position last October, said Thursday that she would resign at 5 p.m. on Aug. 7.
“I am truly humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Phoenix City Council,” part of the resignation letter read.
“I am hoping to achieve even more as Phoenix’s next mayor and make us a city that truly works for everyone.”
I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on city council. I am hoping to achieve even more as Phoenix’s next mayor and make us a city that truly works for everyone. At 5pm on August 7th, I plan to resign my office as Phoenix City Councilwoman to run for Phoenix Mayor. pic.twitter.com/gAklUmYngz
— Kate Gallego (@KateWGallego) July 26, 2018
The resignation will allow Gallego to run for the office, as her resignation is required by the Arizona Resign to Run Law.
The law requires elected officials to step down from their positions before turning in election petitions for a different office.
RELATED STORIES
Gallego oversees District 8, which encompasses the southeast portion of the city, including the Sky Harbor airport and most of downtown.
She was elected to the council in 2013 and has led efforts in “transform[ing] Phoenix’s economy and revitaliz[ing] the city’s transportation system,” according to her district profile.
The vacancy for mayor comes after Stanton stepped down on May 29 to run for the Congressional District 9 seat, which will be vacated by U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.). Sinema is running for U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake’s seat in November.
Phoenix City Council member Daniel Valenzuela, Moses Sanchez, Nicholas Sarwark and Michael Lafferty have also announced their bids for mayor.
Editor’s note: Gallego officially resigned at 5 p.m. on Aug. 7. Potential candidates must declare their intent to run by 5 p.m. on Aug. 17. The special election will be held on March 12, 2019.
