Phoenix City Councilman Michael Nowakowski will face recall election
Jan 3, 2019, 10:04 PM | Updated: Jan 4, 2019, 10:27 am
Michael Nowakowski (Screenshot)
(Screenshot)
PHOENIX — Phoenix City Councilman Michael Nowakowski of District 7 will face a recall election in May, the Urban Phoenix Project PAC announced Thursday night.
The group said in a Facebook post that it received word from the City Clerk’s Office that its recall petition was successful in triggering the election.
More than 2,300 people signed the petition and more than 50 volunteers worked on the effort, the post said.
The group accused Nowakowski of “neglecting our neighborhoods, abusing his office, putting critical transit programs at risk, discriminating against the LGBTQ members of our community, and using cronyism to fill city positions.”
BREAKING: We have received a "Certificate of Sufficiency" from the City Clerk stating that our recall petition has…
Posted by Urban Phoenix Project PAC on Thursday, January 3, 2019
Some groups called for Nowakowski to resign in 2016 after a video of him making anti-gay comments to a group of pastors was uploaded to YouTube.
Nowakowski was speaking to the group about the debate surrounding the opening prayer at council meetings when he was heard decrying gay marriage and transgender rights.
He later apologized and said his voting record showed he stood by the LGBTQ community.
“I am disappointed that a radial special interest group, who’s (sic) singular agenda to suppress the voices of District 7 residents is leading this senseless and costly recall,” Nowakowski said in a statement to ABC15 Arizona on Thursday night.
“I remain faithful and committed to the diversity of needs of our neighborhoods and families of District 7.”
Nowakowski has not said if he plans to challenge the signatures in court.
