Three-term City Councilman Bob Littlefield filed documents today with Scottsdale City Clerk Carolyn Jagger announcing his exploratory committee for a run at Mayor Jim Lane’s seat this fall.
Littlefield currently has three years left on his final stint. He’s term-limited and cannot seek reelection to the Council in 2014.
Lane served one term on city council before a very narrow victory (less than 600 votes difference) over Mary Manross in 2008. Manross was endorsed by the Arizona Republic and by the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce in a battle that saw the Chamber prosecuted for campaign finance violations.
Ultimately, the Maricopa County Superior Court found in favor of the Chamber in that matter. To the great disappointment of citizen advocates, the Scottsdale City Attorney declined to appeal that decision.
Lane is widely expected to be endorsed by the Chamber and the Republic. Campaign handlers claim to have raised over $100,000 for his re-election bid.
There’s no word yet on when Littlefield will make his final decision, but he issued the following statement:
Dear Friends:
I want to let you all know that on Monday I opened my Exploratory Committee to consider running for Mayor in the upcoming city elections.
I do not take this step lightly. But, like all of you I am concerned that the current administration is taking our city in the wrong direction.
I have said many times, all of us who live in Scottsdale paid a premium to live here. Whether your house cost $200K or $20M, whether you live in the north, middle or south part of our community, you could have bought the same house cheaper in, say, Mesa or Surprise. We all paid that premium because Scottsdale has always been a special place to live, in fact the best place to live in the Valley of the Sun.
Unfortunately, under the current Mayor and City Council majority Scottsdale’s special character is being systematically eroded for the benefit of special interests who are willing to sacrifice Scottsdale’s future for their own short-term profit. City government is supposed to prevent that from happening. But the current Mayor and City Council majority have ignored their responsibility to protect the residents’ quality of life. Every aspect of what makes Scottsdale a special place to live – established neighborhoods in the south, the rural/residential character of the north, high design and development standards, tough code enforcement, our status as the valley’s premier destination for shopping and tourism – is under assault by the special interests and their allies in city government. We all need to step up to the plate in this election cycle if we want to reverse this trend and preserve Scottsdale’s high quality of life and economic vitality.
The first question I need to answer is, can I raise enough money to compete? The special interests who want to destroy Scottsdale’s high quality of life have already thrown tons of money into the Mayoral race, and that will only get worse as the campaign shifts into high gear. While I do not need to have the most money to win, I do need to raise enough money to get my message out to a very large number of potential voters. So, I am asking those of you who care about Scottsdale’s future to dig into your pockets and contribute to my Exploratory Committee. In this election cycle contributions are limited to $430 for individuals, $860 for couples. I know money is tight for everyone right now, but any amount you can afford will help. Make checks out to “Bob Littlefield Exploratory Committee” and mail them to 8926 E. Sheena Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85260.
If I decide to run there will be plenty of non-monetary ways you can help. One non-monetary thing you could do for me today would be to pass the word about my Exploratory Committee to any of your friends and neighbors who you think would be interested in my possible candidacy.
This upcoming election will surely determine whether Scottsdale stays a special place to live or becomes just another bland suburb. Please help me continue my efforts to prevent that from happening.
Bob Littlefield
Scottsdale City Councilman
602-228-9145 mobile
www.boblittlefield.com
7 Comments
Go for it, Bob!
I am saddened because my employment has taken me far away from Scottsdale because I would be out there “beating the streets” for Bob. He provides one of the last rays of hope for the Scottsdale that this native has always loved.
I will proudly contribute to his campaign and do what I can from afar.
Thank you for making this decision Bob, there are a lot of good people who will be in your arena.
Joe
Bob,
I’m so very glad you’re investigating the pursuit of running for the office of mayor of Scottsdale. You are exactly what this community needs at its helm. For so long you’ve represented Scottsdale’s often deserted and shuffled aside citizens. Their voices have been given short shrift in favor of those whose projects have negatively impacted Scottsdale’s residents. You’ve been a champion of Scottsdale’s lifestyle and possess a realistic vision of what this community should be. I’m sure there are legions of people who are hoping you do decide to run. If you do, you will win.
This is excellent news! Let the games begin.
Hey Bob, I know someone who would make an excellent Chief of Staff and his initials are J.W. … hint, hint.
Doesn’t Rob Leger live in Fountain Hills? His column in today’s paper seems to attack people like you, John, as well as others like George Knowlton whose Scottsdale Activist is one of the most informative publications ever…when it is active. He seems to outwardly support the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce or better known as the “PAC” of Scottsdale. I’m sure when he reads this…I’ll never get another column published…but that’s just the way it is. Opinions and actions are what changes things…not PAC’s or those that ignore what it taking place in their communities. Littlefield would certainly be one to support over Lane.
Yes, Mr. Leger is a Fountain Hills resident, which probably explains why he doesn’t “get” some of our downtown noise and development issues. I hadn’t seen his piece in today’s Republic, but I will look for it now! Thanks, Bob.
This is great news. Councilman Littlefield has a decade long track record of protecting the standards that make Scottsdale such a great place to live and work. The current mayor and majority of the council are trying to take us into the future by abandoning the very principles of zoning, development, and governance that made us great.
Councilman Littlefield has proven that he stands for the residents and supports what is in the best interest for the city. He will make a great mayor.