Photo: Lois Fruhwirth and her son, Kyle
Prescott’s long and hard fought municipal election ended last night with predictable and reassuring results for most voters. As of 9PM, the Yavapai County Recorder who ran the mail-in election for the city reported results that appear to be conclusive for all races. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, 13,638 ballots were cast with a turn out of 39.18 percent.
Prescott’s incumbent Mayor, Phil Goode, who ran unopposed, won reelection with 11,430 votes. Incumbent City Council Member Cathey Rusing, running for a second four year term, was the top vote getter with 10,564 votes, or 31.58 percent of the total. Council Member Connie Cantelme, who was appointed in 2022 to fill the remainder of a two year term, won outright with 8,570 votes or 66.82 percent of the total votes for the two year term on the council. First time candidate Tony Hamer was a distant second with 4, 255 votes or 33.18% of the votes cast.
Two newcomers also won four year terms. Lois Fruhwirth, a former Chair of the Yavapai County Republican Party, was the second highest vote getter for a seat on the council with 9,605 votes or 28.71 percent of the total. Ted Gambogi, who has been civically active on various city boards and committees, won the third four year term with 8,843 votes or 26.43 percent of the total. A fourth candidate, Chad DeVries, was unsuccessful in his first attempt at elected office with 4,441 or 13.28 percent of the votes cast.
Although not as expensive as the 2022 election when then City Council Member Phil Goode scored an upset victory over the incumbent Mayor, Greg Mengarelli, who outspent him by more than two to one, overall spending this year was still high by historic standards. Yet money did not prove to be decisive. Mr. DeVries was the second highest spender for a council seat, but won half the votes as the next highest vote getter, Ted Gambogi, who spent less than a quarter as much. Similarly, Connie Cantelme, spent thousands less than her challenger, Tony Hamer.
Prescott’s 2023 municipal election was driven more by issues than personalities. The winning city council candidates were all viewed as supporters of Mayor Goode’s cautious approach to economic development, water, and quality of life issues. With the reelection of Ms. Rusing and Ms. Cantelme, and newcomers Lois Fruhwirth and Ted Gambogi, the Mayor will have the votes on the City Council to resist pressures for rapid development and pursue his vision for the city in coming years.
Prescott eNews wishes to congratulate all the candidates who offered their services to our city and furthered public discourse on the issues. All six candidates graciously consented to in-person interviews with Prescott eNews which we recorded and posted for the benefit of voters.
1 thought on “Prescott Municipal Election Results: Staying the Course – David Stringer, Publisher”
Congratulations to all the winners including Phil Goode. I say that because his very successful first term as Mayor of Prescott was certainly a key factor in his unopposed second term. At least the good people of Prescott are far better served than the same elections in Prescott Valley. Perhaps due to a lower awareness of politics the more rapidly growing town of Prescott Valley has allowed a developer driven takeover of government and thus a pedal to the floor acceleration of growth without regard for our shrinking water supply.
2024 brings a new chance to elect people who will be aware of our declining water availability and make the necessary adjustments before its too late.
Comments are closed.