local elections
planning our shared future
As we have seen over the past five years of work to save the heart of the Granite Dells from development, local leadership plays the determining role in the outcome of high-impact community decisions like the proposed Arizona Eco Development annexation, the allocation of water resources, and the planning of our shared future.
We need local leadership at a municipal, county, and regional level that champion conservation and responsible water management and commit wholly to an ethic of transparency and public representation in these decisions.
2023 Save the Dells Endorsements
It's especially important that you vote for ALL THREE of the endorsed candidates for 4-year terms. If you vote for fewer than these three, you help open the door for a less suitable candidate.
Please consider our endorsements as you plan how to vote. For more information on the candidates we've endorsed, here are links to their campaign websites:
We endorsed candidates whose stances on critical issues align well with our Vision, Mission, and Plan of Action--what we heard was important to YOU--and we looked for evidence of experience and character.
We also considered the following:
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Responses to our questionnaire sent to all candidates and received by the stated deadline
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For incumbents, their voting records
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For nonincumbents, experience of other kinds in city government, for example, committees, commissions, etc.
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Campaign materials
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Statements and responses at forums, at other public events, and/or in media interviews
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Public records and candidates' own social media statements for character insights
the voters take a stand | two elections that shaped prescott history
Save the Dells has endorsed candidates that embody and prioritize these values at the Prescott city level in the 2019 and 2021 elections, to incredible success! Prescott's voters have spoken, confirming that water, growth, open space conservation, and quality of life are critical community issues for us all.
PHIL GOODE
-Mayor-
2021 CITY OF PRESCOTT ELECTION
BRANDON
MONTOYA
-Council-
ERIC MOORE
-Council-
On August 3rd, 2021 Prescott voters elected all three Save the Dells-endorsed candidates by landslide margins!
Despite unprecedented smear campaigning and dark money attempts to discredit the candidates, the same community-minded vision that resonated with voters in 2019 prevailed. Phil Goode now serves as Prescott's new mayor, and Brandon Montoya and Eric Moore have joined council lineup.
Among the first priority actions of the new council were the reinstatement of the "Call to the Public" open comment period and the review and revision of the municipal water policy.
2019 CITY OF PRESCOTT ELECTION
CATHEY RUSING
-Council, Mayor Pro Tem-
In 2019, Prescott voters made history when they elected Councilmember Cathey Rusing with almost 4,000 more votes than the next highest vote-getter.
Cathey distinguished herself as the only candidate to explicitly decline campaign contributions from developers, and ran on a platform of community-informed issues. She has championed the Save the Dells mission of preserving the Granite Dells as a Regional Park & Preserve.
With the following election in 2021 (above this one), Cathey Rusing was appointed by newly elected Mayor Phil Goode to serve a one year rotation as Mayor Pro Tem for the Prescott City Council.