Greg Stanton

Greg Stanton
59th Mayor of Phoenix
Assumed office
January 3, 2012
Preceded by Phil Gordon
Personal details
Born Gregory John Stanton
(1970-03-08) March 8, 1970
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Nicole Stanton (2005–2016)
Alma mater Marquette University (B.A.)
University of Michigan (J.D.)
Website Government website

Gregory John "Greg" Stanton (born March 8, 1970) is an American politician who serves as Mayor of Phoenix. He won the November 8, 2011 runoff election to succeed term-limited mayor Phil Gordon. Stanton, a Democrat and former Phoenix City Council member who represented areas of north Phoenix, defeated Republican political consultant/lobbyist Wes Gullett after a contentious campaign that resulted in large election turnout.[1] Stanton was sworn in as 59th Mayor of Phoenix in January 2012.[2] Under his leadership, Phoenix became the first community in the country to end homelessness among military veterans.[3]

Early life, education, and career

Stanton was born in Phoenix and graduated from Cortez High School of western Phoenix in 1988.[4][5] He then attended Marquette University and graduated in 1992 with a B.A. in history and political science and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. In 1995, Stanton earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. Stanton then worked as an education attorney from 1995 to 2000.[4]

Political career

Phoenix City Council (2000–2009)

Stanton was elected to the Phoenix City Council for District 6 in 2000, 2001, and 2005 and served the district until 2009.[4]

2011 campaign for mayor

During his 2011 campaign for mayor, questions arose of the legality of near $70,000 in contributions from Stanton's former treasurer Mindy Shields.[6] Stanton opposed the embezzlement prosecution of Shields and fired her in October 2010.[7]

On August 30, 2011, Stanton and Republican candidate Wes Gullett were the top two candidates in the Phoenix mayoral primary, with Stanton getting about 38% of the vote and Gullett 20%.[8]

Mayor of Phoenix (2012–present)

Greg Stanton briefs reporters at a press conference at City Hall.

Stanton advocated against the 2013 federal budget sequestration by meeting with members of Congress multiple times.[9]

Mayor Stanton was re-elected on August 25, 2015.

Political positions

In an interview a few weeks after the November 2011 election, Stanton stated his support for repealing the city food tax.[10] Stanton also supported public pension reforms including more employee contributions to their own retirement funds and longer work experience before retirement benefits.[10] However, in March 2013, Stanton decided against repealing the food tax due to projections that ending the tax would cause layoffs of nearly 99 police officers and 300 other city employees.[11]

References

  1. Bui, Lynh (8 November 2011). "Greg Stanton claims victory over Wes Gullett in Phoenix election". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  2. Stanton sworn in as new Phoenix mayor
  3. "New York Times".
  4. 1 2 3 http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/questionnaire2011/phoenixmcc.php?action=ViewAns&canname=gstanto
  5. Holden, Mary L. (January 4, 2013). "CEO Series: One-on-One with Mayor Greg Stanton". My Life Magazine. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  6. Bui, Linh (July 21, 2011). "Phoenix mayoral candidate Greg Stanton's funds in question". Arizona Republic.
  7. Gersema, Emily (February 27, 2011). "Phoenix candidate wants to drop embezzling case". Arizona Republic.
  8. Bui, Linh (September 1, 2011). "Phoenix mayor race: Stanton, Gullett jump right into runoff campaign". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  9. "Into the mind of ... Greg Stanton". Arizona Republic. November 17, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  10. 1 2 "Into the mind of Greg Stanton". Arizona Republic. November 25, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  11. Gardiner, Dustin (March 21, 2013). "Stanton backs off repeal of food tax". Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
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