Matt Orlando wins Chandler Mayor’s race as challenger Jeff Weninger concedes

Councilmember Matt Orlando claimed victory Wednesday in the nonpartisan Chandler mayoral race. Orlando built a commanding lead over state Rep. Jeff Weninger in Tuesday’s primary election.

Orlando held 58% of the vote to Weninger’s 42%, with more than 38,700 ballots counted, according to unofficial results from the Maricopa County Elections Department.

Turnout was about 24%.

Orlando, a retired Air Force colonel and Honeywell executive, has lived in Chandler since 1983 and has served six terms on the City Council.

Weninger, a Republican who gave up his District 13 House seat to run for mayor, conceded Wednesday on social media.

“While the results are not yet official, it’s clear that we came up short,” Weninger wrote on Facebook. “Running for mayor of Chandler has been one of the greatest honors of my life because it gave me the opportunity to meet so many incredible people and hear your stories, your ideas and your hopes for our city.”

Weninger congratulated Orlando, writing, “I wish him success as he leads Chandler, because when Chandler succeeds, we all succeed.”

Orlando will replace term-limited Mayor Kevin Hartke.

This is Chandler’s first competitive mayoral election in eight years.

In the Chandler City Council race, Jane Poston, Angel Encinas and Cicely Rocha-Miller led the six-candidate field for three open seats.

Voters also approved Proposition 415, with 84% voting yes.

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