What would Scottsdale City Council candidates do about Old Town, affordability?

Scottsdale voters are deciding who will fill three open City Council seats in the July 30 election, a race that will determine who shapes policies on key cities issues ranging from short-term rental regulation, to development, to traffic over the next four years.

Scottsdale City Council incumbents Tammy Caputi and Tom Durham are both vying for their second terms in office.

The third City Council seat on this year’s ballot is completely up for grabs because first-term Councilmember Betty Janik isn’t seeking reelection this year. She told The Arizona Republic that she decided to step away in order to spend more time with her family.

There are seven newcomers hoping to either secure Janik’s empty seat or replace their incumbent competitors: Stephen H. Casares, Jan Dubauskas, Mason Gates, Adam Kwasman, Justin Laos, Bob Lettieri and Maryann McAllen.

Arizona election: Read our full election coverage of the Scottsdale City Council race

The Arizona Republic asked each candidate about everything from their reason for running, to their plan for fiscal management, to their view on development and housing affordability.

Casares was the only candidate who did not respond to The Republic’s questionnaire.

Here’s what the others had to say, in alphabetical order. Some answers may have been slightly edited to meet pre-arranged lengths.

Vision: Why are you running for Scottsdale City Council?

Why are you running for Scottsdale City Council? If elected, what will your first priority be?

Tammy Caputi: I’m seeking re-election to the Scottsdale City Council to continue the great work that’s being done by this council. I’ve increased job creation by 10%, kept our budget in the black, fully funded public safety, and brought our tourism back to pre-pandemic levels. I helped pass a new voter-approved 10-year General Plan and protected our neighborhoods from bad short-term rentals. I’ve protected our most vulnerable seniors and children, increased downtown parking, improved traffic safety and bulked-up our streets with 80 new lane miles of roadway. I have stood up from day one for our kids' education. All our residents, including our kids and working parents, deserve the best possible Scottsdale. The city will be facing many new challenges in the next few years. I’m running for re-election to keep moving Scottsdale forward in a balanced, positive direction, and to maintain our reputation as the gold standard of the Valley. Successful cities do not stagnate; we can neither stand by nor sit still if we want to maintain our excellence.

Tom Durham: The current City Council has a great record of accomplishment. We have written and passed a new General Plan after years of failure on that issue, kept taxes low and services high, created a task force to fund our parks — especially those in the south — and Preserve, worked to stop abusive short-term rentals, increased funding for police and fire, increased cash reserves, and strengthened standards for new development.

My main priority is to pass two measures on the November ballot which are critical to Scottsdale's future. The first is a ballot measure to extend our Preserve sales tax, at a lower rate, to fully fund our Preserve and our parks. Older parks in south Scottsdale are in particular need of maintenance, and the Preserve needs maintenance to reduce fire hazards. As a former lawyer, I made sure the plan contained unprecedented legal protection to ensure the money would be spent as planned. It can only be used for the parks and the Preserve, with a small amount for WestWorld.

The second ballot measure raises our expenditure limitation, which simply allows the city to spend money it already has. Most cities have already raised their limitation. It’s not a tax increase.

Jan Dubauskas: Scottsdale is an incredible city. We have the largest sporting event in the United States with 500,000 people in one day at the Waste Management Open. We have the largest urban park in the United States, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is 36 times the size of New York's Central Park. Scottsdale has the most advanced water treatment plant in the United States. We live in a beautiful, uniquely charming, and incredible city. And it is up to us to protect our beautiful city. As a wife and mother to young daughters, I am running for council to protect Scottsdale for my family and for yours.

My first priority will be to address the residents’ first priority — traffic. When surveyed, residents consistently voice their biggest concern in Scottsdale is traffic. Whether traffic is caused by streetlight timing, over-development, construction, or roundabouts, as your councilwoman, I'll examine what we can do to reduce traffic and alleviate your concerns.

Mason Gates: I am running for City Council in my home of Scottsdale to put residents first.

I intend to do this by preserving law and order, emphasizing the need for accountability, and restoring fiscal responsibility. Since moving to Scottsdale, I have taken note of many council members’ prioritization of the special interests at the expense of everyday residents. This irreparable and destructive ideological agenda has amplified the need for a new voice at City Hall. As a successful entrepreneur, I feel as though I possess the energy, passion, and work ethic required to lead our city and push it back into the right direction.

This election is about trust. We need to be able to trust our local leaders. It’s crucial that Scottsdale has councilmen who can think critically, solve problems, and — above all — fight for the interests of residents. I am the most transparent, grassroots, and honest candidate in this entire race. Unlike my counterparts, I have nothing to lose. I am hopeful that I may receive your vote in the upcoming election and I look forward to being of use to the public.

Adam Kwasman: Public safety and a “family first'' approach to promoting the needs of residents by combating illegal immigration, homelessness and reckless spending is why I’m running for City Council. I’ve been endorsed by Councilmembers Barry Graham and Kathy Littlefield, along with (Arizona) Rep. Matt Gress, Joseph Chaplick, Alex Kolodin, Supervisor Steve Chucri, Barry Goldwater Jr. and so many others because of my resident-first policies. My time as a state legislator in the public sector, coupled with my time as a job creator and attorney in the private sector, provide me with an unparalleled ability to deeply dive into Scottsdale’s General Plan and root-out fiscal waste and bureaucratic abuse, lowering taxes, while committing all necessary resources to our police and fire.

Justin Laos: I'm running to provide reasonable, not radical leadership to the City Council so that Scottsdale can not only stay the best city in Arizona but get better as we grow into the future. My first priority will be ensuring we are doing whatever we can to bring and keep investment into the city.

Bob Lettieri: I am running for Scottsdale City Council because as a 25-year resident, I have the very same concerns that my neighbors, and the people of Scottsdale have. I want to represent the concerns of the people of Scottsdale who are concerned that your quality of life will continue to deteriorate. Why? Because the current city government allows rezoning that leads to increased urbanization, allows budget overruns, and allows complete disregard for our concerns about multistory apartment buildings and the unsafe removal of car lanes.

My first concern will be to address the root cause of budget overruns.

Maryann McAllen: I love my city and I have a passion to serve my community. I started my career with the city of Scottsdale in community services, my last project with the city was the planning and building of the Via Linda Senior Center. I have served throughout Scottsdale in many capacities as a leader and a volunteer.

Being a city employee, I know how the city is run and how it works. As a Scottsdale resident I have served on commissions and committees and have experience in making decisions before they reach the City Council. I know my experience will serve Scottsdale’s residents through my decision making as a City Council member.

The first order of business will be to take down my election signs, I will then continue to seek input from residents on all issues before taking office in January.

Stephen H. Casares did not respond.

Taxing and spending: Where do the Scottsdale City Council candidates stand?

New state policies will affect city budgets. If faced with a deficit, will you support raising taxes to maintain city services or cutting programs? Which specific services and/or taxes would you consider first and why?

Caputi: I oppose tax increases; I support a strong economic engine. We’ve been anticipating and planning for these losses to our income for over a year; our (2025) budget is almost 10% lower than last year. We’re projecting a $9 million to $10 million shortfall from the loss of the two tax streams affected by new state policies; strong revenue growth will help offset some of the losses. This is a permanent loss, but it’s 2% of the general fund revenue for (2025). We will continue to be fiscally conservative, streamlining wherever we can in order to adjust. Our economic engine is what allows us to have healthy revenue streams that keep our services and amenities world class, our property values strong, and our property taxes low. Scottsdale has 18,000 businesses, 200,000 employees, is ranked number one for startups, and number two for corporate headquarters. Our winning formula requires economic vitality — without sales tax growth to offset the revenue losses, we’ll have to make cuts to services or further defer maintenance of our assets. We don’t need to grow physically bigger, but we need to be continually reinvesting and growing our economy to remain the gold standard of the Valley.

Durham: Scottsdale has a strong financial position, and we have some of the lowest taxes in the Valley. We are going to continue to keep taxes low and services high — the council recently lowered the property tax rate.

We have been aware of the changes in state policy for quite some time, and we are prepared to deal with them through changes to the budget, without tax increases. Our most recent budget reflected a decrease from the prior budget.

The changes in the state budget underscore the need to pass the ballot measure for increased funding for our parks and the Preserve. In times of budget shortages, amenities such as parks may suffer as cities understandably focus on safety services, such as fire and police. Passing the ballot measure will protect our parks and the Preserve from any budget cutbacks.

Dubauskas: The city of Scottsdale has an operating budget of over $700 million per year. Including capital improvements, contingencies and reserves, Scottsdale's total budget is $2.3 billion. With such a large budget, we must be accountable to our residents and be prudent with our finances at all times. Before considering raising taxes and further burdening our residents, it is important to review our spending to determine if our spending matches our priorities. And if certain spending is no longer needed or is low priority, the best option may be to decrease spending rather than to increase taxes on our residents.

Gates: We need to approach the conversation of taxes by looking within rather than seeking to exacerbate the burden of inflation on residents. Due to oversight and disregard for your taxpayer dollars, Scottsdale is overspending at an unprecedented rate.

Whether it’s a 560% overrun on a recent sewer project, or the $375,000 salary for City Manager Jim Thompson, who works 10 hours a week, there appears to be an overarching theme of complacency and incompetence. While many members of the council would like to put the onus on residents, I’d like to do just the opposite. As a small business owner, I know how to invest in the future through fiscal responsibility, thoughtfulness, and tenacity. Many candidates will claim that they would like to see Scottsdale succeed. I need Scottsdale to succeed. This is my home, and this is my generation’s future at stake.

Rather than waste money on useless projects like road diets, I will prioritize a 20/20 Plan. This plan will outline a goal of overstaffing and overpaying our police, fire, and EMTs by 20%. It is imperative that we keep our neighborhoods safe, while simultaneously remaining a popular destination for tourists across the globe.

Kwasman: Scottsdale’s financial outlook is strong, and the city expects a budget surplus this year. Tax receipts are so healthy, that the council is asking for an expenditure increase, via referendum. Scottsdale doesn’t have a budget shortfall problem, it has an out-of-control expenditure problem. We have to re-prioritize our public dollars to fully fund police and fire while being extremely careful not to raise taxes in a time of high inflation and economic uncertainty.

Laos: It is very likely city budgets will take a hit in the next few years, and we've seen time and time again that raising taxes is not the correct solution. Raising taxes hurts the economy in the short and long term and is very hard to reverse. When faced with a budget deficit, we have to look at whatever items that are our lowest priorities and make the tough decisions to cut them for the time being. It's much easier to reinstate programs and overall spending when the budget increases, versus cutting a tax and reserving the impacts that tax had on the economy. But to do this well, we have to communicate what items within our budget are high or low priorities, this is how personal and commercial finances are run and so should our city's.

Lettieri: If faced with a deficit I would carefully examine projects from prior years that have not been started and are in the current 2025 budget. I would recommend eliminating or deferring as a means of reducing a potential deficit. Additionally, I would analyze contingency reserves, which are $465.9 million, that are uncertain for use, in the current 2025 budget for reduction to off-set potential deficit.

McAllen: The city of Scottsdale has a very vibrant economy and, withstanding any major downfall, we should keep working to stay fiscally responsible with our budget and hold our projects in line with the budget. The city of Scottsdale has been deemed a world class city for a reason, we have innovative employees who seek solutions to hard problems and have a great success rate.

We must also work with our legislators to ensure they understand how their decisions affect our city, building those relationships is important to our city.

Casares did not respond.

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Tourism: How would Scottsdale City Council candidates balance nightlife and noise?

How do you balance the need for tourism and nightlife in Old Town Scottsdale with preventing excess noise and traffic?

Caputi: It's all about balanced leadership. We want downtown to be a year-round, thriving, vibrant destination for tourists and residents alike, but we must protect our residents. I support noise ordinance changes that would provide reasonable sound standards, including for bass frequencies, and provide guidance for sound management related to outdoor amplification at bars, restaurants, live entertainment venues, and special events.

We need to balance the rights of property owners and the business community with residents' quality of life. We will enforce existing ordinances while conducting further analysis, garnering public feedback and identifying best practices for enforcement. One recent proposal is to locate a nightclub below street level, which is one interesting way to decrease noise levels!

Tom Durham: The nightlife in Old Town is important for our tourism and vibrancy, but it needs to be kept under control. The police have increased their presence in the bar district and the city has installed safety features such as improved lighting.

The city has formed a Special Noise Ordinance Committee to consider changes to the noise ordinance. The council had a work study meeting on this issue earlier this year and the committee is continuing to seek community input as it considers changes to the current ordinance.

On traffic issues, the council has required additional parking in the Old Town area and is considering additional parking garages.

Dubauskas: Tourism brings 11 million visitors each year to Scottsdale and pays 25% of the revenue we receive from our sales tax. This revenue allows the city to have lower property taxes and sales taxes for residents. As such, tourist dollars are valuable to our community.

Scottsdale has a vibrant nightlife that garners national attention and brings in tourists from all over the country. At the same time, there are residents who live near the Entertainment District area and are disturbed by the music, traffic, and voices that can be heard at night. Until recently, there was no noise ordinance in the Entertainment District. Realizing that the lack of a noise ordinance was a concern, the city conducted community meetings — I participated in one — to discuss noise, how it carries, and work through potential solutions. The assistant city manager turned these meetings into an effective noise ordinance that is now in place in the Entertainment District. Since this was the first noise ordinance in the Entertainment District, moving forward we may need to make tweaks or updates to the ordinance to ensure the noise is at an appropriate level.

Gates: I will fight against the Arizona state government to ensure Scottsdale is within its right to strictly regulate short-term rentals. Members of the Arizona Legislature will not hear the end of it from me if they seek to take control over the regulation of short-term rentals away from cities like Scottsdale. Homeowners in Scottsdale pay enough in property taxes and contribute enough to our local economy that they do not deserve to be bothered by unruly short-term renters.

Regarding the entertainment district, I vehemently support property rights and would allow said owners to welcome tenants that operate hospitality venues, so long as they prove not to pose a nuisance to any nearby residential communities.

I will not support any “circumstantial” noise ordinances that genuflect to the demands of these operators and appear to give special treatment to certain business owners.

To mitigate further traffic congestion, I will fight to increase auto traffic lanes, improve signal timing, and oppose all “road-diet” propositions.

Kwasman: Scottsdale is first and foremost a city for families. A “family first” approach prioritizes residents over nightlife. I fundamentally believe in tourism, but I’m far more apt to promote Scottsdale as a golf, dining, and resort destination, not a party town.

Laos: Tourism is extremely important in Scottsdale and should be supported and invested in. Nightlife is important as well but does come with some drawbacks like noise, crime, and traffic. The solution isn't to do away with our nightlife industry but make sure we are holding them accountable, providing the necessary resources to maintain and control the crowds and ensure safety overall. Scottsdale nightlife's goal should prioritize safe and high-end experiences. Allowing this kind of investment will soften the negative impacts nightlife has on the city.

Lettieri: I believe that tourism is essential to our city. I would highlight the importance of local business owners to support in maintaining an aesthetic and vibrant but respectful nightlife scene. Increase police presence during peak nightlife hours to manage crowd control and ensure compliance with noise and traffic regulations, that gives our visitors a sense of security. Coordinate the scheduling of large events to avoid overlap and excessive crowding. Require nightlife venues to obtain special licenses that include conditions related to noise control, waste management, and security. Set limits on the operational hours for bars, clubs, and restaurants to minimize late-night disturbances. Implement and enforce strict noise ordinances that set limits on decibel levels for different times of the day and night. Collaborate with rideshare companies to designate specific pick-up and drop-off points to streamline traffic flow and reduce congestion.

McAllen: I see these as two very different issues. Our tourism is top notch, we have the city of Scottsdale, Experience Scottsdale, the Chamber of Commerce, Scottsdale Living and the Tourism and Sports Authority that all work together to build up our tourism base in Scottsdale, not to mention our world class resorts and golf courses. The annual events held here in Scottsdale bring in millions and millions into our city keeping our taxes low. These events are planned for, and we know they will have an impact on our city.

As for downtown, that is a specific area and again it is monitored and needs to be by our police department to maintain safety for our residents and our guests.

With all annual events, or programs the city should monitor their value and decide if it should be kept or replaced. If there is something that is affecting our neighborhoods or business districts adversely, they should evaluate and be kept or replaced.

Casares did not respond.

Housing: Where do Scottsdale City Council candidates stand on density vs. affordability?

In recent years finding affordable housing for working people has become increasingly difficult. How do you balance the need to provide workforce housing with community pressures to limit density? What is your philosophy and if you had to choose between these competing interests, how would you? 

Caputi: We’ve been moving carefully towards buildout for decades, following our general plan. We’re not converting areas zoned for single family homes to multifamily. Our voter approved plans have always located multifamily housing in growth and activity areas, near freeways, employment, and retail, which are the only locations the City Council has approved of multifamily development.  

Our population growth has slowed to less than 1% per year and there are no large empty parcels left. During my first term on council, we’ve cut our housing pipeline in half. We’ve approved only a small handful of projects with demonstrable public benefits. Truly affordable housing in Scottsdale isn’t economically feasible. Land is extremely expensive and scarce, our standards are the highest, our approval processes are purposely slow and deliberate, and neighbors are deeply engaged. It’s illegal to fix rents in Arizona and low rents and housing prices do not often pencil out in Scottsdale. We can and have negotiated some dedicated “workforce” units from new developments with discounted rent for teachers and first responders. We have to balance these two competing interests, not choose between them.

Durham: Our General Plan, approved by the citizens, requires some higher density housing to provide affordability to our workforce and other lower-income citizens, including seniors. Several projects approved during the current council’s term have included units set aside for workforce housing at lower rental rates.

We have balanced the need to provide workforce housing with community pressure by negotiating for lower heights and density in several projects. On the Greenbelt 88, the Gold Dust, and Cosanti Commons, the City Council brought down the height from four stories to three stories.

We have made sure that higher density projects are located in contextually appropriate areas, areas designated for growth and employment centers. We have not and will not approve any projects located in our neighborhoods.

Several of our higher density projects have replaced commercial districts such as strip malls. Apartments will produce less traffic than these commercial areas which they replace. Also, workforce housing allows workers to live nearer their place of employment, reducing long commutes and traffic.

The choice between some higher density housing and community interests is not an either-or choice. Our General Plan requires us to do both, and I believe the current council has balanced these interests well.

Dubauskas: Affordable housing is an issue that is top of mind across the United States. And it is one of the reasons I am reluctant to increase taxes on our residents; we do not want to make Scottsdale even less affordable if we can help it. Recently, the Arizona Legislature passed a bill addressing Accessory Dwelling Units, ADUs or casitas, that will make ADUs permissible in certain areas of the city. While there are other concerns with this bill, I am in favor of allowing residents to build casitas where it makes sense and where the casitas conform with the neighborhood.

Building smaller housing in established neighborhoods manages the concern of density while allowing for more affordable housing. Scottsdale will be working on an ordinance to confirm set-back standards for these new ADUs and I look forward to hearing residents' feedback.

Gates: You give an inch, they’ll take a mile. If you want to be coddled by the government, Phoenix and Tempe are right around the corner. This is Scottsdale. We are an affluent and an exclusive community.

Many council members will lazily attribute 560% budget overruns to inflation, while oversimplifying the high cost of living in Scottsdale to a supply-and-demand relationship. However, based on the surplus of housing units in Scottsdale and a national CPI increase of 21.75% since Jan. 2020, these councilmen are entirely misguided in their disguised agendas. While many of our residents have worked their entire lives to afford a home in Scottsdale, the actions of incumbents Tammy Caputi and Tom Durham threaten to diminish home values and dilute the unique charm that keeps our community a pristine destination.

Moreover, the government is not responsible for subsidizing housing simply because large corporations are unwilling to provide reasonable wages to their employees. Scottsdale should never cater to the entitlement of few, at the expense of many.

On the contrary, I would agree that our incredible emergency responders should be able to live in Scottsdale, which is why I seek such a drastic increase in their pay.

Kwasman: Scottsdale is for families. Those looking to live in Scottsdale are looking for a forever home, not a temporary dwelling. We can cut down on onerous and unnecessary regulations in homebuilding to make housing more attainable while promoting quality, high-paying jobs, all while respecting the desire for current and future residents to live in neighborhoods. I am against wanton, reckless overdevelopment. I will take a resident-first approach to my decision-making.

Laos: Housing in Scottsdale is an important issue, we will always be an expensive city to live in but what we can do is make sure the City Council isn't adding to the problem. We have to make sure our supply is keeping within reason with demand. My platform for development is an emphasis on ownership, quality, and common sense.

Lettieri: The price of housing is determined by the free market, supply and demand. And High inflation all over the country has caused the cost of housing to increase. I would work closely with developers to weigh the benefits of townhomes and condominiums that have lower purchase costs compared to traditional single-family homes. Smaller single-family units are more affordable to individuals or families with lower incomes. Townhomes and condo units often provide residents with a stronger sense of ownership and pride in their community compared to multi-family units. As a council member I would be promoting the benefits of smaller single-family units that can contribute to a more stable community with residents who are invested in maintaining their homes and neighborhoods.

McAllen: Scottsdale is the most desirable city in Arizona, and it comes at a higher cost. The city should encourage workforce housing to developers and continue to seek any funding sources state or federal that would assist in creating affordable housing. The city is home to many non-profit organizations that our Human Services Department works with through our (Scottsdale) Cares program and acts as a funding source for those social services given to Scottsdale residents. The city should continue to work with organizations that service our residents.

Casares did not respond.

Inspiration: Who shapes the Scottsdale City Council candidates' thinking?

Who in public life, past or present, do you admire most? Why? And what lesson do you draw from that person’s experience?

Caputi: Senator Kirsten Sinema. I admire her bipartisan approach to creating policy and solving problems, and her adherence to her core values and principles despite pressure from party politics. There are different ways to define winning. It’s important to be genuine, to know what you stand for, and to follow one’s moral compass. Country, or city, should always come before partisan politics.

Durham: Winston Churchill was the most important figure of the 20th Century. When many people thought that Britain should make peace with Hitler, he used his wit, willpower, and words and almost single-handedly convinced the British people that they could and should fight back. As President Kennedy stated, “He mobilized the English language and sent it off to battle.” Had he failed, we might live in a very different world today. He leveled with the British citizens, telling them he had “nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.” I particularly admire his wit and joie de vivre.

The lesson I draw from him is the importance of standing firm and providing moral clarity on critical issues. And doing it with a sense of humor.

Dubauskas: The Arizona settlers in the 1800's are particularly worthy of our admiration. They found a beautiful, desert area and made it their home through their hard work, innovation, and commitment. Without our everyday conveniences of air-conditioning, grocery stores, or cars, these pioneers lived independently and set us on the path we are today — living in an incredible, unique, and beautiful place.

Gates: I greatly admire the courage of Founding Fathers, James Monroe and Alexander Hamilton who signed the Declaration of Independence at 18 and 21, respectively. Despite the sheer size and power of the crown at the time, these young men led a revolt against tyranny by standing up for the rights of their fellow man.

Now more than ever, we need courageous leaders. Our society continues to be threatened by dangerous rhetoric and ideological agendas that echo the demise of the once great Roman Empire.

John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

And while I may not be running for president, I’d like to accept the challenge of President Kennedy, and be of service to the public by effectuating positive change starting in my home of Scottsdale.

Kwasman: Barry Goldwater captured the spirit of Arizona, was a champion for liberty, and always stayed true to the residents of Arizona. He is the only politician whose portrait hangs proudly on my wall. Outside of politics, I point to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, a leader whose greatness lay in the fact that he wasn’t satisfied with merely having followers, but dedicated his mission in this world to creating leaders who continue to inspire us through kindness and good deeds. Great leaders make leaders.

Laos: I recently read a book about George H.W. Bush. I really admire his service to our country, his resolve on tackling difficult issues, and his ability to work with others and seek common ground.

Lettieri: Ronald Reagan because I can relate to his core beliefs, which are individual freedom, limited government, personal responsibility, and American exceptionalism. I saw him as a leader that focused on issues that Americans saw as their priorities and not on politics.

McAllen: There are so many, but I will use Frances Young as my example. Frances Young was a south Scottsdale resident who saw a need in our city, and she did something about it. Before there were Vista Del Camino Park and the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, the water would flow down through the city and flood out people’s homes. Frances worked with city leaders, community leaders, school district leaders and church leaders to make changes to benefit the underserved in our city. She was a true Scottsdale hero, and I am proud to say she made an impact on me when I attended Coronado High School and later when I worked for the city of Scottsdale.

I have always known that I wanted to run for City Council to serve my community, this desire was formed at an early age in grade school. I have been very blessed to have had many great examples who served before me.

Casares did not respond.

Election integrity: Where do the Scottsdale City Council candidates stand?

Do you think Arizona elections are fairly run? Do you trust the results? Will you abide by them? Why or why not? 

Caputi: Yes, Arizona elections are fairly run, I trust the results, and I will certainly abide by them. I’ve seen no legitimate, fact-based reason not to.

Durham: Yes, I think elections are fair and will abide by the results. I have seen no evidence otherwise.

Dubauskas: Scottsdale city elections are run fairly; I have full confidence in our city clerk and his team and will be glad to abide by the results.

Gates: I think Scottsdale's City Council elections have been fairly run in the past. While every election will inevitably include some irregularities, I do not see any evidence that might suggest election insecurity might have played a role in the defeat of any Scottsdale City Council candidate in recent election cycles. Just like people in any profession, I am confident our election officials will learn from any past mistakes they may have made and do their best to run a clean election this year. I will abide by the election results so long as election security measures are properly enforced.

Kwasman: I will fully abide by the results of my election. However, you only need to remember 2022’s printer fiasco to know that there are serious problems with Arizona’s electoral process. We should be fully implementing Florida’s proven and tested, modern elections model, delivering accurate and timely results on the date of the election.

Laos: Yes, I do. I trust the results and will abide by them.

Lettieri: The first step to gaining trust in our elections is for the county recorder and the secretary of state to clean up the voter rolls. Many households receive multiple ballots for people who no longer live there. Also, delays in election results are caused by voters who drop off ballots at voting centers on election day. Voters should either mail them in or vote in person by machine. Then the county will be able to count the ballots much quicker. Getting the results within a few days would help regain trust in the election process. Of course, I will abide by the results

McAllen: Yes, I believe the elections are fair and safe. Yes, I will abide by the results of the election on July 30 and November 5.

Casares did not respond.

Reporter Sam Kmack covers Tempe, Scottsdale and Chandler. Follow him on X@KmackSam or reach him atsam.kmack@arizonarepublic.com.