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John Giles (mayor)

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John Giles
Giles in 2024
40th Mayor of Mesa
Incumbent
Assumed office
September 18, 2014
Preceded byScott Smith
Alex Finter (acting)
Personal details
Born1959 or 1960 (age 64–65)
Mesa, Arizona, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Children5
EducationBrigham Young University (BA)
Arizona State University, Tempe (JD)

John C. Giles (born 1960)[1] is an American politician serving as the 40th mayor of Mesa, Arizona.[2] A Republican, Giles previously served as a member of the Mesa City Council from 1996 to 2000. Giles was elected mayor of Mesa in a 2014 special election following the resignation of Mayor Scott Smith.

Early life and career

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Giles was born in Mesa, Arizona. He graduated from Westwood High School in 1978. He served a two-year mission for his church in South Korea from 1979-1981. He attended Brigham Young University, graduating with a political science degree in 1984. Giles received his JD from Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law in 1987.

Giles works as a lawyer with the firm Giles & Dickson.[3] Giles was the president of the East Valley Bar Association from 1992 until 1993.[4] Giles is an adjunct professor at Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. [5]

Political career

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Giles was elected to the Mesa City Council in 1996, serving until 2000, including a term as vice mayor from 1998 until 2000.[6]

Following Mayor Scott Smith's resignation in 2014, Giles was elected mayor in a special election, for a term lasting until 2017.[7] He was sworn in on September 18, 2014.[8][9]

In 2016, Giles was reelected to a full four-year term, which lasted until 2021.[10] He was again reelected in 2020 and began his second full term in January 2021.[11]

In 2021, Giles led the adoption of a city nondiscrimination ordinance.[12]

Giles served as co-chair of the US Conference of Mayor's Veterans Homelessness Task Force. Under his leadership, the city aimed to house more homeless veterans.[13] During Giles’ 2020 term, he focused on the Off the Streets Program. As Chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG),[14] Giles started the program in 2021 to help combat homelessness, not just for veterans, but for all of the residents within Mesa. In 2023, Mesa City Council approved the purchase of a hotel to serve as an emergency shelter facility for the Off the Streets program.[15]

In 2021, Giles supported the creation of the Mesa College Promise to provide a free community college education to qualified students.[16] He supported expansion of the Mesa College Promise to adult learners in 2024.[17]

In 2024, Giles opposed bipartisan Arizona state legislation to increase housing supply in the state amid a housing shortage.[18][19] The legislation proposed to restrict the abilities of Arizona cities to mandate home owners associations, minimum home sizes, and community amenities.[18] Giles argued that "silencing our neighborhoods is not the solution to the housing crisis."[18]

Giles endorsed Democrat Mark Kelly over Republican Blake Masters in the 2022 U.S. Senate election.[20] The Arizona Republican Party censured Giles over his endorsement of Kelly.[21] He endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 United States presidential election over Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.[22] He and former Arizona representative Robin Shaw co-chaired the state chapter of Republicans for Harris.[23] He spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention on August 20.[24]

In December 2024, the Mesa City Council voted unanimously to approve an increase in the costs of water, wastewater, and other utilities. [25][26] Giles focused on affordability in Mesa, and promised to maintain his goal of keeping the city of Mesa an affordable place to live.[26]

In 2022, Giles requested federal funds in order to improve transportation, and the city received a $16 million grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. Giles' goal is a 40 percent increase in charging stations for electric vehicles along with expansion of the Tempe street car into Mesa.[27] The city has adopted a climate action plan with a goal of using 100 percent renewable energy and being carbon neutral by 2050.[28] Giles also supported the renewal of Prop 400, [29] a half a cent transportation tax in Maricopa County. The Maricopa Association of Government says that 53 percent, or about 14 billion, of the street car plan would come from Prop 400 extension.[30]

In 2023, Giles was appointed by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to the Electric Vehicle Working Group, a federal committee charged with guiding the widespread adoption of electric vehicles across the country.[31]

Personal life

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Giles and his wife, Dawn have five children and eight grandchildren.[2] Giles is a marathoner and triathlete who has completed two full Ironman competitions, twenty marathons, including four Boston Marathons.[32]

Giles is the host of It's Always Cool in Mesa, a podcast that shares the stories behind some of Mesa, Arizona's most popular outdoor adventures, culinary treasures, and unique history.[33]

Electoral history

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Giles' most recent electoral victory took place in the 2020 non partisan primary, receiving just over 66% of the votes over opponent Verl Farnsworth.[34] Giles received more than $250,000 in campaign donations. Farnsworth questioned the legality of the donations, although Giles said the donations were in accordance with election law.[35][36] City finance and taxes were issues in the mayoral campaign.[35]

Giles received over 50% of the vote in the primary, meaning no run-off election was required.[37]

Prior Elections

2014 Special Election

Giles was first elected mayor in 2014.[38] Giles ran on the platform of keeping the trajectory for the city set by his predecessor. Opponent Danny Ray argued the current direction was the wrong direction.[39] Giles received over 72% of the votes.[40][41]

2016 Election

Giles was reelected to his mayoral post in 2016, winning 99% of the vote as an uncontested candidate.[42]

Leaving Office

The Mesa mayoral post has a two term limit. Giles reached this limit and was unable to run again in 2024.[43] Giles has so far not revealed any intentions to seek higher office in state government or federal government.

2020 Mesa mayoral election[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan John Giles (incumbent) 60,473 66.25
Nonpartisan Verl Farnsworth 30,452 33.36
Write-in Write-ins 357 0.39
Total votes 91,282 100.00
Mesa mayoral election, 2016[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan John Giles 53,273 99.01%
Write-in Write-ins 353 0.99%
Total votes 53,808 100.0%
Mesa Mayoral Special Election, 2014[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan John Giles 33,177 72.7%
Nonpartisan Danny Ray 12,483 27.3%
Total votes 45,660 100.0%
Mesa City Council election, 1996[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan John Giles 17,426 23.2%
Nonpartisan T. Farrell Jensen 15,949 21.2%
Nonpartisan Dennis Kavanaugh 13,481 17.9%
Nonpartisan Lillian Wilkinson 10,407 13.8%
Nonpartisan Dana B. Harper 10,053 13.4%
Nonpartisan David Molina 7,831 10.4%
Total votes 75,147 100.0%
Mesa City Council at-large primary, 1996[48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan John Giles 14,392 15.8%
Nonpartisan T. Farrell Jensen 11,861 13.1%
Nonpartisan Lillian Wilkinson 10,885 12.0%
Nonpartisan David Molina 10,070 11.1%
Nonpartisan Dennis Kavanaugh 9,848 10.8%
Nonpartisan Dana B. Harper 9,635 10.6%
Nonpartisan Michael D. Whiting 9,196 10.1%
Nonpartisan Manuel Cortez 5,873 6.5%
Nonpartisan David A. Wier 5,403 6.0%
Nonpartisan John Robie 6,639 4.0%
Total votes 90,802 100.0%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Is Mesa's Latter-day Saint mayor leaving the Republican party or leading it?".
  2. ^ a b "Mayor John Giles | City of Mesa". www.mesaaz.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-04-19. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  3. ^ "Mayor John Giles". City of Mesa. Archived from the original on April 19, 2015. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  4. ^ "John C. Giles, Attorney". Giles & Dickson. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  5. ^ "https://law.asu.edu/faculty-directory/part-time-faculty". {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  6. ^ "Mayor John Giles". City of Mesa, Arizona. Archived from the original on April 19, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  7. ^ Brodie, Mark (September 19, 2014). "John Giles Elected Mayor Of Mesa". KJZZ. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  8. ^ Godfrey, Trevor (September 20, 2014). "Mesa mayor Giles officially sworn into office". East Valley Tribune. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  9. ^ Polletta, Maria; Leavitt, Parker (September 19, 2014). "John Giles sworn in as Mesa's 40th mayor". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  10. ^ "Mayor John Giles". NDC Academy. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  11. ^ Steinbach, Alison. "Mesa Mayor John Giles leads in reelection bid, while Julie Spilsbury could unseat Councilmember Jeremy Whittaker". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  12. ^ "Mesa Council passes nondiscrimination ordinance".
  13. ^ "Mesa mayor tells conference there are no homeless vets in city".
  14. ^ Boehm, Jessica. "New shelters, affordable housing: Metro Phoenix launches regional plan to end homelessness". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  15. ^ "Mesa City Council approves proposal to buy hotel to use as temporary shelter for people who are homeless". 12news.com. 2023-11-06. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  16. ^ "Mesa College Promise Program Expands to Eligible Adult Learners". mesanow.org. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  17. ^ Writer, Scott Shumaker, Tribune Staff (2024-03-12). "City, MCC expand college scholarships". The Mesa Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ a b c "Phoenix-area mayors blast controversial housing bill they say would 'silence our neighborhoods'". Az Central. 2024.
  19. ^ "Mesa mayor calls affordable housing measure 'deeply flawed' - Daily Independent". The Daily Independent at YourValley.net. 2024-03-16.
  20. ^ "Multiple GOP mayors, business owners backing Democrat Sen. Mark Kelly". KTAR.com. 2022-07-17. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  21. ^ Basnet, Neetish (July 26, 2022). "GOP censures Mesa lawmaker, Mayor Giles". The Mesa Tribune. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  22. ^ Giles, John. "Why, as a Republican mayor, I support Kamala Harris over Trump". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  23. ^ "Republicans For Harris: Mesa mayor, former Arizona lawmaker co-chairing local chapter". FOX 10 Phoenix. 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  24. ^ "Republican Mayor John Giles feels more at "home" with the Democratic party". NBC News. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  25. ^ "'You're waking a sleeping giant': Residents warn Mesa leaders there will be consequences to raising utility rates". 12news.com. 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  26. ^ a b Chan, Cecilia (2024-12-09). "Citizens rip Mesa Council as rate hikes OK'd". East Valley Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  27. ^ Dominguez, Maritza. "Who is John Giles? What to know about Republican mayor in Arizona who endorsed Kamala Harris". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  28. ^ Writer, Scott Shumaker, Tribune Staff (2024-01-07). "Plenty of issues to watch in Mesa in 2024". The Mesa Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ "Newsroom | Prop 400 Success Stories: Building for the Future in Gilbert". azmag.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  30. ^ Writer, Scott Shumaker, Tribune Staff (2023-06-20). "Transit tax fight could cost Mesa millions". The Mesa Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ "Mesa Mayor John Giles Appointed to National Electric Vehicle Working Group".
  32. ^ "Mayor John Giles | City of Mesa". www.mesaaz.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  33. ^ "It's Always Cool in Mesa, A podcast hosted by Mayor John Giles".
  34. ^ "John Giles". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  35. ^ a b Reporter, Ole Olafson; Olafson, Ole (2020-07-14). "Mesa mayoral race pits incumbent John Giles against Verl Farnsworth - Northeast Valley News". Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  36. ^ Steinbach, Alison. "John Giles raises record $250K for Mesa's mayoral race. How much competition will he face?". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  37. ^ "Mayoral election in Mesa, Arizona (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  38. ^ "Mesa, Arizona municipal elections, 2014". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  39. ^ Polletta, Maria. "Mesa voters elect John Giles as mayor". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  40. ^ "Election Results". 2014-10-22. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  41. ^ "Mesa, Arizona municipal elections, 2014". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  42. ^ Coppola, Maria Polletta, and Chris. "Election brings new leaders to Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert councils". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2024-12-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ "Mesa's mayor gives last State of the City before term limits force him out". KJZZ. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  44. ^ "Mayoral election in Mesa, Arizona (2020)". Ballotpedia.
  45. ^ "MRC 20160830 E August 30, 2016 Summary Report MARICOPA COUNTYFINAL OFFICIAL RESULTS" (PDF). Maricopa County Recorder. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 21, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  46. ^ "Mesa, AZ Mayor - Special Election 2014". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  47. ^ "Mesa, AZ City Council At Large 1996". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  48. ^ "Mesa, AZ City Council At Large Primary 1996". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
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