AZ Central, Republican Scott Neely's long-shot effort for Governor's Office prompted by God, Trump and COVID

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Scott is originally from San Jacinto Valley, California. He and his wife Maria have 5 children and 2 grandchildren. He is a member of Queen of Peace Church. 

Scott currently works as a businessman in the concrete industry.

Ballotpedia, Scott Neely

Scott Neely previously ran for Governor of Arizona in 2022, but did not win.

The Mesa Tribune, 4 Mesa mayoral candidates meet in forum

Wants to lower the sales tax to attract businesses and increase the local economy.

Believes utilty rates should be lowered and the transfer of utility funds into the general fund should be eliminated.

Said, "Our sales tax is too high and is driving business away. This has to change."

- Wants to lower the sales tax to attract businesses and increase the local economy.
- Believes utilty rates should be lowered and the transfer of utility funds into the general fund should be eliminated.
- Said, "Our sales tax is too high and is driving business away. This has to change."

Economy

As of June 16, 2025, Scott Neely’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Ktar News, 5 Mesa mayoral candidates share their stances during public forum

Opposes using tax dollars to open the homeless hotel, stating it should be handled by non-governmental organizations.

- Opposes using tax dollars to open the homeless hotel, stating it should be handled by non-governmental organizations.

Housing & Urban Development

Opposes the expansion of light rail, supporting using resources to improve existing infrastructure along "neglected routes" instead.

- Opposes the expansion of light rail, supporting using resources to improve existing infrastructure along "neglected routes" instead.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Plans to create a task force to address violence and drugs in schools.

Advocates for law enforcement staffing and training to address crime public safety.

Said, "I'll prioritize safety, reclaim our streets, and restore security."

- Plans to create a task force to address violence and drugs in schools.
- Advocates for law enforcement staffing and training to address crime public safety.
- Said, "I'll prioritize safety, reclaim our streets, and restore security."

Public Safety

Wants to expand vocational schools and programs to restore "skilled hands-on education."

Plans to make sure tax dollars are efficiently spent on classroom instruction.

- Wants to expand vocational schools and programs to restore "skilled hands-on education."
- Plans to make sure tax dollars are efficiently spent on classroom instruction.

Education

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Scott Neely

Mark is from Mesa and attended Westwood High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Rio Salado College. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Maricopa County Farm Bureau, the Arizona State Farm Bureau, and the National League of Cities Public Safety & Crime Prevention committee. He and his wife LeeAnn have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.

Mark currently works on his family farm. He previously worked as the captain paramedic in the Mesa Fire and Medical Department.

Mark A. Freeman is currently a councilmember in the Mesa City Council, representing District 1. He was elected in 2016 and is serving his 2nd term. He is currently the chair of the public safety committee.

Wants to create more jobs by "implementing pro-growth policies" that support entrepreneurship and local businesses.

Said, "by shopping locally, we're investing in Mesa's bright future."

- Wants to create more jobs by "implementing pro-growth policies" that support entrepreneurship and local businesses.
- Said, "by shopping locally, we're investing in Mesa's bright future."

As of June 16, 2025, Mark A. Freeman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to ensure financially responsible transportation infrastructure that reduces traffic congeston and is supported by residents.

- Plans to ensure financially responsible transportation infrastructure that reduces traffic congeston and is supported by residents.

Supports hiring more police officers to increase law enforcement and security.

Advocates for  increase community policing and neighborhood watch programs.

Wants to invest in modern safety technologies.

- Supports hiring more police officers to increase law enforcement and security.
- Advocates for  increase community policing and neighborhood watch programs.
- Wants to invest in modern safety technologies.

Advocates for increased investments in schools and providing students with the resources necessary for college and careers.

- Advocates for increased investments in schools and providing students with the resources necessary for college and careers.

Mark A. Freeman

Carey holds a master's degree in business administration. He and his wife have lived in Mesa since 2019 and have 4 adult children, 14 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

Carey is currently the treasurer for the Arizona Political Legislative District 15.

5 Mesa mayoral candidates share their stances during public forum

R. Carey Davis previously served as Mayor of San Bernadino. He served 1 term from 2014 to 2018.


Plans to control the city's over-reliance on bond financing.

Plans to align city budget with community priorities.

- Plans to control the city's over-reliance on bond financing.
- Plans to align city budget with community priorities.

Plans to require City Management to streamline government processes.

- Plans to require City Management to streamline government processes.

As of June 16, 2025, R. Carey Davis’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to increase the number of patrol officers and patrol vehicles in Mesa.

- Plans to increase the number of patrol officers and patrol vehicles in Mesa.

R. Carey Davis

Ryan earned his bachelor's degree in sustainability and urban planning from Arizona State University and his master's degree in business administration from Wilkes University. He serves on the board of the Secretary of States Small Business group and the Asian Chamber of Commerce. He lives in West Mesa with his wife Ericka and their two children. 

Ryan currently works as a community developer. He previously worked as the executive director of RAIL CDC, an area census office manager for the U.S. Department of Commerce, an economic development consultant, and an adjunct professor at Northern Arizona University.

AZ Central, Arrested Mesa councilman has previous extreme DUI conviction

Ryan Winkle previously served as City Councilmember in the City of Mesa representing District 3. He was elected in 2017 and served 4 months. 

As of June 16, 2025, Ryan Winkle’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports spending on the temporary housing shelter.

Said, "We need a responsive building and zoning department that is timely and makes the process of growing easy."

- Supports spending on the temporary housing shelter.
- Said, "We need a responsive building and zoning department that is timely and makes the process of growing easy."

Believes funding the police department should be the "number one fiscal goal for the city."

- Believes funding the police department should be the "number one fiscal goal for the city."

Said, "We need a great public school system that everyone can feel good sending their kids to."

- Said, "We need a great public school system that everyone can feel good sending their kids to."

Ryan Winkle

Global Interdependence Center, Scott Smith

Scott is originally from Tucson, Arizona. He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from Brigham Young University and his master's degree in business administration and his law degree from Arizona State University.  He and his wife Kim have 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

Institute of Politics at Harvard, Scott Smith 

Scott previously worked as a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer, and as an accountant at Price Waterhouse & Co.

Axios, Matt Salmon and Scott Smith are considering a run for Mesa mayor

Scott Smith previously served as Mayor in City of Mesa for 2 terms from 2008 to 2014. He ran for Governor of Arizona in 2014, but did not win.

As Mayor, helped attract an Apple, Inc. manufacturing facility in Mesa.

States his vision "extends beyond the present, focusing on sustainable growth, and dynamic development."

- As Mayor, helped attract an Apple, Inc. manufacturing facility in Mesa.
- States his vision "extends beyond the present, focusing on sustainable growth, and dynamic development."

As of June 16, 2025, Scott Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports sustainable water infrastructure.

- Supports sustainable water infrastructure.

Wants to expand and improve educational opportunites for residents.

- Wants to expand and improve educational opportunites for residents.

Scott Smith

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor runs the city day to day and prepares the budget each year, meaning that they propose how much funding goes to each city department, including the police department, city parks, transportation, and the fire department. 
- The mayor serves as the city's ambassador to visitors and during community events. 
- Most Arizona mayors are elected to four-year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 