Kate Gallego cruising to reelection; Gilbert, Scottsdale also picking mayors

PHOENIX – Voters in Phoenix and two large suburbs cast their ballots in mayoral races during Tuesday’s election.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego was well on her way to reelection, with more than 60% of the vote as of Wednesday morning.

The suburban mayoral races are for vacant positions, with Brigette Peterson grabbing a considerable lead in Gilbert and Dave Ortega positioned to win in Scottsdale.

Ballots cast at the polls on Election Day have been reported, but an unknown number of late-arriving early ballots and provisional ballots remained uncounted.

With 287,150 votes, 63% of the total reported so far in Phoenix’s mayoral primary, Gallego lapped the three-candidate field. Merissa Hamilton was next with 113,404 votes (25%), followed by Tim Seay with 55,602 (12%).

Phoenix, I am honored that you've again put your trust in me. Thank you!

— Kate Gallego (@KateWGallego) November 4, 2020

I am thrilled to continue the important work we’ve accomplished these past months. Let’s stay focused & #PHX will be perfectly positioned to emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever.

Together, we will live up to our promise to be a city that works for everyone. pic.twitter.com/dq9o2j0BPj

— Mayor Kate Gallego (@MayorGallego) November 4, 2020

Gallego posted a victory message to social media on Tuesday night and a statement about being elected to a four-year term on Wednesday morning.

She first took office after winning a special election in 2019.

A Phoenix candidate needs to get more than half the votes in the primary to avoid a runoff.

The other cities already are in the runoff phase.

In Gilbert, Peterson, a former Town Council member, had 55,652 votes (59%) and was comfortably ahead of political newcomer Matt Nielsen (39,293 votes, 41%).

The winner will take over for Interim Mayor Scott Anderson, who has been filling in since Jenn Daniels abruptly resigned in August.

In Scottsdale, Ortega garnered 62,259 votes to Lisa Borowsky’s 53,237 – a 54%-46% margin.

Both candidates hoping to replace term-limited Jim Lane are former City Council members.

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