Smith to run unopposed for mayor – so far

Anthony Smith strategically announced his intentions to run for mayor last fall and picked up the election packet at city hall in August, almost four months before the deadline to file (see related story). And it appears that his need for heavy campaigning may have ended before it officially began.

Mayor Kelly Anderson told inmaricopa.com that he his not going to seek another term in office, leaving Smith as the lone mayoral candidate for the moment.

“I find it interesting,” Smith said about the potential of running unopposed. “Unless there’s someone who wants to come out and get their name in the newspaper for a bit, then I think I’m it.”

“I’m glad to see the end of the rumors finally,” Smith said about Anderson’s decision. “I campaigned hard establishing my position on the issues and meeting as many people as possible. I purposely disregarded the rumors regarding Mayor Anderson’s intentions and focused on communicating my platform.”

Smith is not taking anything for granted, however, and said, “I am fully committed to being Maricopa’s next mayor and will campaign hard to get there.”

In addition to the mayoral race, eight individuals have picked up information packets for the three open city council positions:
• Marvin L. Brown
• Carl Diedrich
• Councilman William A. Dunn III
• Marquisha Griffin
• Councilman Kelly Haddad
• Marty Hermanson
• Robert Lewis
• Camerino Lopez

According to City Clerk Vanessa Bueras, Maricopa residents who submit the petition with the required 27 signatures by the deadline will have their names placed on March’s primary election ballot. She said the signatures are representative of the candidate’s nomination by the citizens.

So far, Smith is the only candidate to have submitted the completed paperwork (see related story). The deadline to file is Dec. 12 for both mayoral and council candidates.

Photo by Mandy Hank