Breaking Down the Mesa Mayor's Race

Well, it looks like Rex Griswold is going to officially jump into the Mesa Mayor's race today. We are still waiting for the official word on if Tom Freestone is going to be in or out, but my guess is that since there hasn't been a big hoopla since the story saying that Freestone was out, in all likelihood, he is going to be done. Unless there is some dark horse that comes out of nowhere, I think the field is pretty much set. Here is my humble breakdown of the candidates:

I'll break them down in order of announcement:

Scott Smith

Announced: May 31, 2007

Advantages: Local businessman, Outsider - Not part of the current establishment, Probably going to get the endorsement of many conservatives, Hits home with many voters with "restoring trust" message

Disadvantages: Not a known name, No government experience (could be good or bad), Background as a Developer

Claudia Walters

Announced: September 20, 2007

Advantages: Most experience out of all of the candidates, Understands the inner workings of the City, Has made controversial decisions and stood by them, Has the benefit of being called Vice-Mayor

Disadvantages: Part of the current establishment, Tends to be defensive of past City decisions, Nearly 8 years on the council which is thought to have caused a lot of the current problems

Rex Griswold

Announced: September 26, 2007

Advantages: Very hard worker, Small business owner, Liked by many people in his district, Good looking guy, Known name

Disadvantages: Running as an insider and outsider at the same time, Trying to separate himself from the past problems of the council - which could be poorly received, Not a consistent decision maker