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Somers announces campaign to return to Mesa City Council

Posted 8/28/21

Former Mesa Councilmember Scott Somers recently filed his “statement of interest” to run for election to return to the Mesa City Council representing District 6.

The Southeast Mesa …

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Neighbors

Somers announces campaign to return to Mesa City Council

Posted

Former Mesa Councilmember Scott Somers recently filed his “statement of interest” to run for election to return to the Mesa City Council representing District 6.

The Southeast Mesa district is currently represented by Councilmember Kevin Thompson who is term-limited in 2022, according to a release.

Somers previously represented District 6 from 2006 to 2014 including serving two years as vice mayor. During his previous time on council, Somers was dedicated to fiscal responsibility, attracting jobs and economic opportunities, enhancing public safety, and improving quality of life, the release states.

He helped spearhead the efforts to develop Phoenix-Mesa Gateway area into a high-wage job hub as well as helped to redevelop the former GM Proving Grounds into the award-winning Eastmark and Cadence communities, it states.

“Mesa is my home and a great place to live. I am proud to have played a part in kicking off the tremendous economic success and residential growth in the Southeast Valley. I want to return to serving the citizens of Mesa to finish several of the projects that I helped to start and ensure that the city continues to head in the right direction,” Somers said in the release, “Councilmember Kevin Thompson has done an amazing job over the past seven years attracting jobs, supporting public safety, and asking the tough questions. I would be pleased to jump back in and continue the momentum of solid leadership for this community.”

As part of the campaign kick-off, Somers announced honorary co-chairs from within District 6 to help lead his campaign including retired fire Capt. W. Dale Miller, former school board member Judah Nativio and East Mesa businessman George Bliss. Additional supporters and endorsements will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

“Now more than ever, we need someone on the Mesa City Council who will continue Councilmember Thompson’s a strong voice for protecting the taxpayers and promoting fiscal responsibility,” Co-chair Nativio said in the release, “Somers did that before when he was on the council, and we can count on him to do it again. He helped the city of Mesa navigate through the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and found creative ways to solve problems such as implementing ‘transitional response vehicles’ for emergencies, restructuring city operations, and finding other cost cutting measures,” Nativio said.

“We can trust Scott Somers to keep Mesa safe by supporting public safety with the tools they need,” Co-chair Miller said in the release. “Scott understands that keeping our neighborhoods safe is the top priority of government. We can count on him to focus on public safety to prevent crime, keep response times low and protect our property values.”

“The future of Mesa’s economy depends on a fully realized and well-executed economic development of Gateway and the surrounding area. There is no one with better historic knowledge and experience than Scott Somers,” Bliss, campaign co-chair, said in the release. “From his efforts to originally establish the LaunchPoint business accelerator to the thousands of jobs he helped to attract in the Southeast Valley, we know that he has the wherewithal and track record to get things done.”

“I am honored to have the support of these distinguished individuals and blessed to have them on my team,” Somers said in the release. “Their contributions to Mesa are unmatched and our city is better for their commitment and contributions to our long-term success. I have a great story to tell and I look forward to reconnecting with many of the constituents I worked with before as well as the thousands of new residents who have moved into this community over the past seven years. Together, we can continue to build a strong, safe, and family-friendly community.”

During his time on council, Somers chaired the National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention steering committee and represented cities on the National Homeland Security Consortium, SAFECOM Executive Committee and the Public Safety Advisory Committee to FirstNet. Somers was twice appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to the National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council.

Somers and his wife Janell, both veterans of the U.S. Air Force, have lived in southeast Mesa for 26 years. They have two grown children and one grandchild, with another on the way, the release states.