Lane barely leading Manross in bid to become next mayor of Scottsdale
By Curtis Riggs | September 3, 2008
McCullagh, Drake leading in council race
SCOTTSDALE – Early primary election totals indicate there could be a major shake-up in Scottsdale City government.
City Councilman Jim Lane was leading Mayor Mary Manross by the slimmest of margins in his bid to become the next mayor of Scottsdale in the Sept. 2 primary, according to early (unofficial) totals.
With all 87 Scottsdale precincts reporting, the election totals show Lane was leading Manross by 217 votes. He received 14,909 votes (50.4 percent) to Manross’ 14,692 (49.6 percent).
Lane, a one-term councilman who pledged to return a sense of openness to Scottsdale City government, said the focus of the campaign had shifted in recent weeks to disagreements about how to complete the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
The election results will not be official until early ballots are counted in coming days.
In the race for three open City Council seats, incumbents Ron McCullagh and Betty Drake were leading six other council challengers by a small margin. McCullagh was leading in the race to retain his seat with 13,141 votes (18 percent). Drake received 12,429 votes (17 percent).
Council challenger Suzanne Klapp came in next with 11,828 votes (16 percent) She was followed closely by Lisa Borowsky, who received 10,728 votes (15 percent).
Nan Nesvig was next with 7,831 votes (11 percent). She was followed by Tom Giller (7,762 votes, 10 percent), Joel Bramoweth (5,388 votes, 7 percent) and Oren Davis (4,864 votes, 7 percent).
A candidate must receive 50 percent plus 1 vote to advance to the Nov. 4 general election.
Scottsdale City elections are unique this year because it is the first time they are being held in the fall.
Top photo: Jim Lane
Courtesy photo