Scottsdale Council Race Down To 3 Candidates After Littlefield Withdraws

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Scottsdale City Council candidate Bob Littlefield has withdrawn from the November runoff election, leaving three candidates competing for two remaining seats on the City Council.

Littlefield announced his decision Aug. 4, calling it a "difficult and personally painful decision" and saying he will return to his position as chairman of TAAAZE, or Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions.

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"I made this decision based on the results of the recent primary election and the effect those results have had on the Scottsdale political landscape," Littlefield said in a statement to supporters.

Littlefield said stepping away from the council race will allow him to focus on opposing the Axon apartment development on what he described as the "legal and political fronts."

He also said he believes his withdrawal will strengthen the candidates remaining in the race who oppose overdevelopment.

"My departure from the campaign leaves two strong opponents of overdevelopment in the race who I am confident will capture the two remaining seats on the City Council," Littlefield said.

Littlefield said his return to TAAAZE will give the group more resources in its fight against development projects it opposes.

"This change literally gives us more 'boots on the ground' in the fight to Keep Scottsdale Special!" he said. "You should have no concern I will slack off on the fight against overdevelopment as I will be working harder than ever to win that fight!"

Littlefield thanked his supporters and the Scottsdale voters who backed him in the July 21 primary.

"Since this will be my last campaign email I want to thank all of you who supported me in the campaign and especially to thank the 22,091 Scottsdale citizens who voted for me," he said.

Three candidates remain

Littlefield's withdrawal leaves incumbent Councilmember Barry Graham and former state lawmaker Michelle Ugenti-Rita, both of whom describe themselves as conservatives, facing self-described moderate Raoul Zubia for two open seats in the Nov. 3 general election.

Eight candidates originally competed for three council seats in the July 21 primary.

Incumbent Councilmember Solange Whitehead won reelection outright after receiving a majority of the vote.

Councilmember Kathy Littlefield, Bob Littlefield's wife, could not seek another term because of term limits after serving three consecutive terms. Her departure guarantees that at least one new member will join the council.

Under Article 9, Section 6 of the city's charter, Graham, Ugenti-Rita and Zubia will now appear on the November ballot in place of Littlefield.

Littlefield's withdrawal closes out a 24-year run for his family at Scottsdale City Hall.

He served three consecutive terms on the council from 2002 to 2014. His wife was elected shortly afterward and went on to serve three consecutive terms of her own.

All candidates elected in November will begin their terms in January 2027.