Councilmember Brad Shafer has more to say about his decision not to run for reelection in 2024.
In a statement to Peoria Independent, he opened up about the last year of his term moving forward, and how now he feels more in control of his destiny, unshackled by any possibility of being another “yes man.”
In April 2022, Shafer was appointed to the Mesquite District, the city’s northernmost district, and elected to office by voters in November 2022. But on Jan. 24, only months leading up to Peoria’s deadline for candidates to file for the 2024 city council election, Shafer announced that he would not seek reelection.
In the statement to Peoria Independent, he said he has received enough community support to win the election, but “at the same time, that’s not what God has in store for me at this time in my life.”
“It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there and run for office. It takes even more courage to know when it’s time to walk away,” he said. “It’s bittersweet because I have loved every moment of serving the people in the Mesquite District, but at the same time, I’m smart enough to know when a situation is too toxic and too detrimental to my sanity, my health, and my well-being,” he stated.
Although Shafer has been on council for nearly two years, the last year has stood out in terms of conflict, spurred by the swearing in of a new mayor. With it came a drastic change of upper city leadership and new goals.
Shafer and Mayor Jason Beck have butted heads over issues that have come across the city council dais over the last year.
Most recently, Shafer attempted to pull certain consent agenda items at public meetings, but Beck denied those requests. This was highlighted during the city’s attempt to bring a helicopter to Peoria for public safety services.
Pine District Councilmember Denette Dunn also stood by Shafer in their attempts to learn more about the helicopter, and both have said these were efforts to provide more transparency to their constituents. But both were rebuffed by Beck.
Conflict also came earlier in 2023 during budget discussions when all parks, trails, open space funding were removed from the city’s 10-year capital improvement plan. This included $18.7 million for the planned phase 2 expansion of Paloma Park, which was approved by voters in 2008. Today the total allocation of funds to the parks and recreation budget amounts to about $33 million. The previous year, the city allocated about $192 million for parks and recreation.
At the time, Shafer received about 100 letters opposing the defunding. He said the budget did not reflect the priorities of his constituents in the Mesquite District.
The defunding drew heavy opposition from the council, a rare occasion when it comes to a CIP vote.
Generally, Peoria councils have voted largely in favor of CIPs, with little division. But last year, the council was split on the plan, largely due to the defunding of parks.
Three of seven councilors including Shafer voted against the fiscal year 2024-2033 capital improvement program.
Shafer stated that since he made the announced to not run for reelection, he is in the driver’s seat of his own destiny, which is more freeing than anything, he said.
“I don’t know what the future holds as far as public service but I do know this: I have 12 months left of my term and I have nothing to lose,” he said. “I will work just as hard for the people of the Mesquite District now as I ever have. I have too much honor and self-respect to just sit back, relax, and be another ‘yes man.’ The people elected me to represent them and the specific needs of the Mesquite District, and represent them I will.”
Meet Philip Haldiman is an award-winning journalist who most recently took first place for investigative reporting in 2023 from Arizona Newspapers Association. He joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2015, covering Sun City West his first year. Since 2016, he has covered the city of Peoria. Prior to coming to INI, he was a reporter with The Arizona Republic for seven years, covering numerous cities throughout the Valley. Before that, he was a freelance writer.
Community: Haldiman spearheads the Peoria Independent Hometown Heroes Awards program, honoring local individuals and businesses that give back to the community. He has hosted local candidate forums over the years and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Haldiman also served as a member of the Journalism Program Community Advisory Board at Glendale Community College. Outside journalism, Haldiman served as a member of the city of Peoria Complete Count Committee for the Census, 2019-2020. Lastly, he has served as a member of his HOA governing board since 2021.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a BA in Theater.
Random Fact: Haldiman is a fourth-generation Arizonan as well as wrote and produced an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
Hobbies: He enjoys hiking Arizona’s mountainous landscapes and is currently working on a play for the stage.
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