• The Gaggle: DCS lawsuit, Senate race

    The Gaggle: DCS lawsuit, Senate race

  • The Gaggle: Russia hack, another ACA repeal

    The Gaggle: Russia hack, another ACA repeal

  • The Gaggle: Trump rally costs, gay couple's rights

    The Gaggle: Trump rally costs, gay couple’s rights

  • The Gaggle: Mark Brnovich sues Arizona Regents, Constitutional Planning Convention

    The Gaggle: Mark Brnovich sues Arizona Regents, Constitutional Planning Convention

  • The Gaggle: State school vouchers, DACA and Hurricane Harvey relief

    The Gaggle: State school vouchers, DACA and Hurricane Harvey relief

  • The Gaggle: Arpaio pardon, future of DACA and Flake's re-election campaign

    The Gaggle: Arpaio pardon, future of DACA and Flake’s re-election campaign

  • The Gaggle: Trump's visit, school voucher referendum update

    The Gaggle: Trump’s visit, school voucher referendum update

  • The Gaggle:  Trump's Phoenix rally, Arpaio pardon and Sinema's run

    The Gaggle: Trump’s Phoenix rally, Arpaio pardon and Sinema’s run

  • The Gaggle: Flake's new book, health care and bipartiship

    The Gaggle: Flake’s new book, health care and bipartiship

  • The Gaggle: McCain's return to the Senate and more

    The Gaggle: McCain’s return to the Senate and more

  • The Gaggle: School voucher petition, health care and McSally

    The Gaggle: School voucher petition, health care and McSally

  • The Gaggle: Health bill, school-voucher program

    The Gaggle: Health bill, school-voucher program

  • The Gaggle: Foster families, Trump's agenda and voter information

    The Gaggle: Foster families, Trump’s agenda and voter information

  • The Gaggle: Arizona's Teacher Shortage

    The Gaggle: Arizona’s Teacher Shortage

  • The Gaggle: A Secret Recording, Mexico Trade and Kids' Health

    The Gaggle: A Secret Recording, Mexico Trade and Kids’ Health

  • The Gaggle: The governor's race and infrastructure funding

    The Gaggle: The governor’s race and infrastructure funding

  • The Gaggle: Corporation Commission scandal and renewing an AUMF

    The Gaggle: Corporation Commission scandal and renewing an AUMF

  • The Gaggle: McCain Trump feud, Ducey's veto pen and Phoenix city hall

    The Gaggle: McCain Trump feud, Ducey’s veto pen and Phoenix city hall

  • The Gaggle: Unfinished business and hallway laments

    The Gaggle: Unfinished business and hallway laments

  • The Gaggle: Legislative session recap, May 2017

    The Gaggle: Legislative session recap, May 2017

  • The Gaggle:  Teachers protesting, a budget afoot and what's up with Stanton?

    The Gaggle: Teachers protesting, a budget afoot and what’s up with Stanton?

  • The Gaggle: Voucher vote, Arizona university funding

    The Gaggle: Voucher vote, Arizona university funding

  • The Gaggle: DCS warrants and Flake gets scorched

    The Gaggle: DCS warrants and Flake gets scorched

  • The Gaggle: Health care in Congress and school voucher expansion

    The Gaggle: Health care in Congress and school voucher expansion

  • The Gaggle: Is the filibuster busted and will Michele Reagan show us the money?

    The Gaggle: Is the filibuster busted and will Michele Reagan show us the money?

  • The Gaggle: Teacher raises, ACA repeal and ballot initiatives

    The Gaggle: Teacher raises, ACA repeal and ballot initiatives

  • The Gaggle: Federal budget and few women in the Legislature

    The Gaggle: Federal budget and few women in the Legislature

  • The Gaggle: Obamacare replacement, George W. in town and TANF benefits

    The Gaggle: Obamacare replacement, George W. in town and TANF benefits

  • The Gaggle: Tax that did not get cut, tweets from Gosar and a non-job

    The Gaggle: Tax that did not get cut, tweets from Gosar and a non-job

  • The Gaggle: SB 1142 is dead and town halls get rowdy

    The Gaggle: SB 1142 is dead and town halls get rowdy

  • The Gaggle: Bigfooted, McCain and HB 2404

    The Gaggle: Bigfooted, McCain and HB 2404

  • The Gaggle: How much debt is too much?

    The Gaggle: How much debt is too much?

Recently re-elected Councilwoman Kate Gallego has her eyes on an even bigger position: mayor of Phoenix.

Less than a week after Mayor Greg Stanton announced he will leave the city’s top spot to run for Congress, Gallego is the second Democrat on the council to announce interest in the position. 

If elected, Gallego would be just the second woman elected mayor in Phoenix.

“It’s a really exciting time now for Phoenix. We’re the fastest-growing city in the country and when you’re adding more people than any other city, you have to be smart about how you grow,” she said in an interview.

MORE: Metro Phoenix growing at its fringes again with new homes

Gallego has represented District 8, which covers parts of central and South Phoenix, since 2014. Her priorities while on council have included transportation, infrastructure, neighborhood safety and equal pay for women.

Prior to her council election, Gallego worked in strategic planning and economic development for Salt River Project.

“I think I have a good background for the particular challenges ahead,” she said.

Councilman Daniel Valenzuela announced his candidacy for mayor just hours after Stanton’s congressional campaign announcement on Oct. 5.

Both council members, along with any others who decide to run for mayor, will eventually have to resign — but not until after Stanton vacates his post.

Stanton does not have to leave office until he submits his election petitions, which are due May 30. But he could choose to leave earlier to focus on his congressional campaign. 

The mayoral election could be in March, May, August or November depending on the date of Stanton’s resignation. The sooner he resigns, the sooner the city can call for an election.

As with Stanton, Gallego and Valenzuela will not have to resign until they submit election petitions.

When the council members resign, the remaining members of the council will select temporary replacements until the city can hold a special election.

READ MORE: 

Rep. Kyrsten Sinema enters Senate race, hoping to unseat Jeff Flake

Díaz: How Kyrsten Sinema’s Senate bid unravels Phoenix City Hall

Roberts: Kyrsten Sinema in, GOP honchos hyperventilate

 

Read or Share this story: http://azc.cc/2kEbXzd