Korte: If elected mayor of Scottsdale, I will fight for your right to know

As your next mayor, I promise you that I will ask the City Council to pass such a change here in Scottsdale and failing that will run a campaign measure to secure the right to know for the Citizens of Scottsdale.

There are many defining issues between the various candidates for Mayor, but none as clear as the quest for transparency, accountability, and openness in our elections.

I am the only candidate running for mayor who has openly supported the effort to require disclosure of all campaign contributions made to influence Scottsdale elections.

None of my opponents; Suzanne Klapp, Bob Littlefield or any of the others have promised to pass a Scottsdale ordinance, like Phoenix and Tempe have previously done, which would ban “Dark Money” contributions in Scottsdale elections.

We, the voters of Scottsdale, have a right to know who is influencing our elections.

As your next mayor, I promise you that I will ask the City Council to pass such a change here in Scottsdale and failing that will run a campaign measure to secure the right to know for the Citizens of Scottsdale.

We must protect our democracy from corruption.
Recently, there was an issue with a “Go Fund Me” account set up by Bob Littlefield to support Councilmember Phillips. I objected to that account on the grounds that the contributions were not disclosed.

The changes proposed to fix that loophole were rejected by a majority of the Council with only myself and Councilmember Milhaven supporting the change. This corruption and undermining of our democracy cannot stand.

In the past, another of my opponents Suzanne Klapp has supported permitting “Dark Money” campaigns to operate in Scottsdale to influence your vote. Those types of campaigns must be prohibited in Scottsdale.

My opponents who support insider, “Dark Money” influence in our elections will attempt to muddy this issue because they are not running for you. They are supported by the insider, dark money campaigns that currently dominate our political culture.

I am running to support your voice, not the insiders who dominate our current political culture.

“Leadership Matters,” is the slogan of my campaign, because it does. In no instance, is that more clear than the effort to require transparency in Scottsdale campaign spending? I am with you, they are not.

Scottsdale voters have a right to know who is funding our elections, the current system is not working, Tempe and Phoenix have passed laws to require disclosure --- As your next mayor, I promise to do the same. Leadership does matter.

Editor’s note: Ms. Korte is a member of Scottsdale City Council in pursuit of the station of mayor