Kate Gallego brushed off last-minute smear tactics to pull off a commanding victory Tuesday over Daniel Valenzuela, whose bet on Republicans and "dark money" didn’t pay off.

Gallego breezed through a barrage of negative TV ads and mailers aimed at keeping her from the helm of City Hall. She pulled off the mayoral runoff to become the second woman elected to the post.

Phoenix’s most powerful, wealthy business leaders (including sports moguls) and public safety unions that backed her rival will now have to find a way to work with her.

This race was unusually negative

That or they may kick-start another campaign for Valenzuela, a Glendale firefighter, to take on Gallego again in 2020. Gallego’s victory Tuesday is only to finish the term of former mayor Greg Stanton – now a congressman.

Phoenicians will have to do this all over again in 2020 for a full four-year term. And if the last few weeks of the campaign are any indication, voters would be dragged into among the nastiest of political competitions Phoenix has ever seen.

Gallego, who managed to garner 19 percentage points more than her closest competitor in a four-way race in November but not the required 50 percent plus one to win outright, was targeted with negative ads from local independent groups. But an Oklahoma-based outfit whose funding remains a mystery topped it off with a last-minute attack that also touted Valenzuela as a conservative.

Did Valenzuela learn his lesson?

Tuesday’s defeat should teach Valenzuela that trying to win at any cost – including compromising his principles – isn’t worth the aggravation.

It wasn’t worth permitting an outside group to lure voters under false pretenses and portray him as the “conservative” voice for mayor. Voters should be furious at attempts to dupe them – and the astute ones probably are.

But enough of Valenzuela. He played his cards and lost.

It’s Gallego’s time. She’ll preside over a divided city council and will face an assortment of immediate, tough issues, ranging from pension reforms to south Phoenix light rail. Both may be on the ballot of another special election in August.

Tuesday’s victory proves she’s ready to tackle anything. But for now, she and her supporters are rightfully celebrating her tenacity and a hard-earned victory.

Elvia Díaz is an editorial columnist for The Republic and azcentral. Reach her at 602-444-8606 or elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter, @elviadiaz1.

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