Dustin Gardiner

The Republic | azcentral.com

Every week, The Republic asks Phoenix City Council members and the mayor to respond to a question about an issue affecting city government.

We asked: Whom are you supporting for president of the United States? Why would Phoenix residents benefit most if he or she were elected?

Background: Arizona’s presidential preference election is on March 22. Voters must already be registered with the Democratic, Green or Republican parties to cast a ballot. Independents cannot participate, unlike Arizona’s primary elections for state offices.

Here are the answers of city leaders who responded to the question:

"Hillary Clinton is a progressive who gets things done. She has, time and again, broken down barriers, delivered results and created real opportunity for working families. With her as president, Phoenix families will have an ally in the White House who will work to create more high-paying jobs, lower health care costs, close the skills gap, make college affordable, and help them save more for retirement. She’ll be an exceptional president who will have a policy agenda that addresses what keeps Phoenix families up at night and be a tireless fighter for their priorities."

— Greg Stanton, Mayor

"Trump. Establishment politicians in both parties have created the problems of today; from international wars, failures to deal with immigration and tightening the border, the national debt and racial strife to name a few. It is the government that has been profiting on the poor, and I believe it is time for an outsider to be president. There are two candidates from both parties that fit the outsider role, Trump and Sanders. Self-serving politicians have created this global mess, and it is time for an outsider to clean it up."

— Sal DiCiccio,District 6,Ahwatukee and east Phoenix

"I’ve joined several of my council colleagues in endorsing Hillary Clinton for president. I think Phoenix residents and our country will benefit from Secretary Clinton’s vast experience starting with her early career as a lawyer for Children's Defense Fund and all the way through her years as our country's top diplomat. She has shown her care and concern for those facing injustices and will continue fighting to break down barriers. Her tenacious yet thoughtful leadership is what we need now."

— Laura Pastor, District 4,parts of central and west Phoenix

"A primary economic challenge of our time is raising incomes for hard-working Americans, and I believe Hillary Clinton is the most qualified of all the candidates to pave a path for the American Dream to be obtainable for all. She has championed amazing causes, including equal rights, affordable health care, immigration reform and our labor unions. I believe she can lead our nation on national security issues in a way that strengthens our alliances and keeps America safe. From her time as First Lady to most recently as Secretary of State, she is prepared to be Commander in Chief on Day 1."

— Michael Nowakowski, District 7, southwest Phoenix and parts of downtown

"I am supporting Hillary Clinton for President because she has the temperament, the platform, and the skill-set we need in a President. On issues ranging from immigration to equal pay for women, Hillary is the candidate who gives Phoenix residents an option that will substantively improve their lives. I’m voting for Hillary on March 22nd because she can best make the Democratic Party’s case to the American people: in November, when voters face their starkest choice in living memory, Hillary can persuade Phoenicians and all Americans to reject bigotry and make the choice that will bring our country together."

—Kate Gallego, vice mayor (District 8), southeast Phoenix and parts of downtown

Got a question we should ask the mayor and City Council? Send it to me at dustin.gardiner@arizonarepublic.com or via Twitter @dustingardiner.

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