The campaign for a City Council seat in east Phoenix is quickly turning into a bitter fight between incumbent Sal DiCiccio and challenger Kevin Patterson.

Within the past week, Patterson accused DiCiccio of "attempted threats and intimidation." He alleges DiCiccio's campaign raised concerns to his employer in an attempt to bully Patterson, which DiCiccio's camp called "fake news."

Then, DiCiccio's campaign claimed Patterson has never voted in a city election. That statement is not true.

Those jabs are only the latest in an increasingly tense fight for the council seat in District 6. Four council seats are up for election in the city's Aug. 29 election, but only DiCiccio faces a challenger on the ballot.

READ MORE:

Phoenix Councilman Sal DiCiccio accused of 'intimidation' in Phoenix council race

Can Sal DiCiccio beat challengers for City Council seat?

The race between Patterson and DiCiccio is a study in contrasts, in both political ideology and personality.

DiCiccio is a Republican known for his outspoken, often fiery comments targeting liberals on the the Democratic-leaning City Council. Patterson is a progressive Democrat who says he wants to bring more collegiality to the dais.

Political observers generally are skeptical DiCiccio can be unseated.

DiCiccio, a real-estate developer outside of politics, has two clear advantages: high name recognition (he's served on the council for more than 13 years) and money. He headed into the summer with more than $475,000 in his campaign account.

But Patterson, executive development director with Banner Health, has vowed to wage a strong grass-roots fight. His campaign manager, Randy Perez, vows they will fight "tooth and nail to win this race." His first campaign-finance filing isn't due until July 15.

While the election is almost two months away, early voting starts Aug. 2, and most voters will get mail-in ballots the first week of August. Both candidates have posted campaign signs throughout the district.

To help voters keep up with this simmering race, here are three hot points to watch:

Patterson alleges 'intimidation'

Tensions between the candidates hit a boiling point last week, when Patterson publicly accused DiCiccio of trying to bully and intimidate him.

Patterson alleged DiCiccio's campaign called and emailed Banner Health, where Patterson works, to suggest the health-care provider's non-profit status could be in jeopardy if Patterson receives special accommodations during the campaign.

"My family, including my two young daughters, are put at risk when my livelihood is threatened in the name of political gamesmanship," Patterson wrote in a statement. "Intimidation in politics is a cowardly manipulation."

Jennifer Ruble, a spokeswoman for Banner Health, did not confirm or deny the alleged incident.

"While we respect those employees who get involved in their local governments, we choose not to comment or become involved in political campaigns," she said in a text message this week.

DiCiccio's campaign denied the councilman contacted Patterson's employer. The campaign didn't respond to a follow-up inquiry of whether anyone associated with his team had contacted Banner.

"Sal has never contacted Banner regarding his City Council campaign," campaign coordinator Nathan Brown said in a news release last week. "It is disturbing that Kevin Patterson is now trying to draw Banner into a political controversy. But that's to be expected with an inexperienced candidate like Kevin Patterson, who hasn't even voted in a Phoenix city election."

DiCiccio hits back at Patterson

The last part of Brown's statement, alleging Patterson has never voted in a city election, sparked another scuffle as Patterson's campaign accused DiCiccio of saying something "blatantly false."

The claim is factually inaccurate. According to the City Clerk's Office, Patterson voted in the city's 2015 election, when the mayor's post and a handful of ballot propositions went before voters.

DiCiccio's campaign declined to comment on the inaccuracy or provide any comment for this story.

The Arizona Republic couldn't find another example of Patterson voting in a Phoenix city election, however, and his campaign would not commentabout whether he voted in other past city contests.

But Perez took the opportunity to chide DiCiccio for the inaccuracy, saying, "Sal is not a truthful public servant."

Ideological, partisan fight

The race between DiCiccio and Patterson is shaping up to be a highly partisan and ideological fight.

Officially, the council is a nonpartisan body — which means party ID will not appear on the ballot. But candidates have increasingly played up their affiliations in recent years and the council has become polarized.

Both DiCiccio and Patterson haven't shied away from playing to their conservative and liberal bases, respectively. That could make the race one of the most partisan council campaigns yet.

Patterson's campaign has appealed to donors by emphasizing its aim to "flip this district and turn it blue." And he has touted endorsements from Democrats and progressive-leaning groups such as Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona and Equality Arizona, an LGBT-rights organization of which he is the president.

DiCiccio's campaign, meanwhile, is emphasizing bread-and-butter issues for conservative voters. He regularly talks about the need for more fiscal accountability at City Hall and more police officers on city streets.

The district traditionally leans conservative, but can be a wild card in city elections.

District 6, which encompasses Ahwatukee Foothills, Arcadia, Biltmore and other parts of east Phoenix, is home to about 180,000 residents. The area is one of the city's most affluent, white and politically active districts.

READ MORE:

Candidate drops out of Phoenix City Council race with Sal DiCiccio

Stanton accuses councilman of interfering with Arizona attorney general investigation

Phoenix OKs budget with more police and park rangers, but deficit looms

8 (more) surprising things you shouldn't recycle in Phoenix