How We Win

Once in a while we get a comment to the effect that “Mesa is 65% Republican and only 35% Democratic. You have no chance to win, especially as a Progressive”. Our optimistic reply is something like “That may be true, but you forget that Mesa is 99% decent people, and we are counting on them!”

The Numbers Needed
  • Mesa City Council District 5 registered voters: ~50,000
  • Democrats registered in District 5: 10,634
  • Republicans registered in District 5: 23,309
  • “Other” registered in District 5: 15,724
  • Votes likely to be cast in 2026 Primary: ~18,000
  • Votes likely needed to win in 2026 Primary: ~9,000

The way the Mesa City Council election works is that if any candidate gets more than 50% of the votes cast for that office in the July 21 “Primary Election” then that candidate wins. Otherwise, the top two vote-getters advance to the November 3 “General Election” and whoever gets the most votes there wins.

Some analysts think a Trump effect may cause moderate Republicans to withhold their vote or vote for a non-Republican, and may motivate an increase in voter turnout by Democrat (Blue Wave) and “Other” voters. Based on past voting data we expect ~18,000 votes will be cast in the 2026 Primary, so we can surmise that if any candidate in District 5 can get over 9,000 votes they will win without a general election runoff.

It is unlikely any of the four Republican and non-Democrat candidates can garner 50% of the total votes cast, as their non-Democrat voters will be split four ways. However, it may be possible for Danny to get that many if we can get the word out that he is the best choice of the five candidates for Democrats, Independents and Republicans.

To do that we need to spread the word that Danny is the best regardless of your Party as he is impartial and can't be bought, and that if you vote in the Primary election we can break the corrupt special interest stranglehold on the City Council.

To achieve our goal all we need is lots of volunteers and about $1000 more in donations!

Frequently Asked Questions

What's Nonpartisan?

The City Council race is “nonpartisan”, so some people question why I mention Party or my Progressive political views. But, nonpartisan simply means that anyone, regardless of how they are registered to vote, are allowed to vote for any candidate running for that office regardless of their party affiliation, and the ballot will not designate any Party for any candidates for that office. So, unless I disclose where I am coming from you won’t know.

Political Philosophy is Relevant

For me, "nonpartisan" does not mean Party or political philosophy is irrelevant. That would be naive. The City Council makes decisions that directly affect its residents. Like increasing your utility rates, approving new data centers in your neighborhood, opening homeless shelters, approving affordable housing, solving noise pollution at Falcon Field, etc. A candidate's views and philosophy are important for the voters to know how the candidate will likely approach matters that arise for the Council’s decision. Will they favor business interests or working families interests? Will they approach crime merely with increased enforcement or will they seek to solve core underlying social issues causing crime? Will they approve new businesses and developments because it will make a few wealthy, and boost their social status or will they insist on concessions to provide affordable housing and housing for the homeless? Will they tend to put the less well off and marginalized groups' interests ahead of, or behind, those of the affluent? 

 

Turning Point Has Made it Political

City Council decisions should be made without interference or intimidation by outside organizations. Councilmembers should not be pressured or threatened for acting independently in the best interests of their residents. But, politics has been injected into the process. When councilmember Julie Spilsbury (a Republican) faced a recall effort supported by Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA, after she committed the unforgivable “sin” of endorsing Kamala Harris over Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, it underscored the growing influence of outside groups in local governance. Mesa’s elected officials must answer to the people of Mesa - not to national political organizations. But, the reality is that every councilmember is now looking over their shoulder to make sure they don’t do anything that a powerful outside group like Turning Point  doesn’t like. That is not true “nonpartisanship”. So, let’s be honest and transparent about where we stand and stand up to Turning Point and their ilk.

We Can, and With Your Help Will, Win in Mesa District 5

We will do everything we can to get the word out. Digital campaigns are great, but there is no substitute for a lot of yard signs, flyers and other written materials that cost money to produce and distribute, or for people to knock on doors and call voters in the neighborhoods. 

If you want to see someone with Progressive views represent you on the Mesa City Council, please donate whatever you can; and thank you. If you don't have money, you can volunteer. Something as easy and simple as calling Democrats from our database can help tremendously. Together we can and will win in July.