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Scottsdale Vice Mayor Virginia Korte plans to run for mayor in 2020 as Mayor Jim Lane faces term limits.

The two-term councilwoman made the announcement Thursday, saying she wanted to start early to form an exploratory committee and to speak with constituents before initiating her campaign.

The earliest that a mayoral candidate could submit petitions to run is April 2020. 

“I want enough time to have thoughtful conversations with people about their priorities for the future of our great city,” Korte said in a statement.

Korte, 63, works as a community liaison for Scottsdale Community College and previously was president of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce.

She was elected to the City Council in 2012 and won re-election in 2016. 

No competitors so far

Other potential mayoral candidates haven’t yet stepped forward, although Scottsdale’s last three mayoral races have been competitive. 

Lane, 65, beat Mary Manross to become mayor in 2008. He faced a bitter race with former Councilman Bob Littlefield in 2016. Among the contentious issues was the proposed Desert EDGE, a desert education facility in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Korte has been a supporter of the Desert EDGE project.

This month, she gave strong support to the council’s decision to send a letter to state lawmakers, asking them to pass a non-discrimination law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. 

“For nearly 30 years, I have dedicated myself to helping maintain our wonderful quality of life. I have always worked to put Scottsdale first,” she said.  

Other races closer at hand

Scottsdale will have three of six council seats on the ballot this August. Incumbents David Smith and Kathy Littlefield have said they plan to seek re-election. Councilwoman Linda Milhaven has not yet made an announcement, although she has said she expects to do so.

Scottsdale business owner and community advocate Bill Crawford has also said he will run. 

Another contender may be Jason Alexander, who has been leading the fight against Desert EDGE.

Desert EDGE, as well as concerns over dense development and calls for an updated general plan to guide growth, could largely factor into this year’s races.

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