2 candidates are running for Gilbert mayor in a turbulent year. What to know

Gilbert voters will decide between two mayoral candidates who they want to lead the town over the next four years in the middle of one of the most turbulent years in recent memory.

The position has become increasingly scrutinized by the public for lack of transparency, leadership within the full council and response to community hardships, most notably the "Gilbert Goons" scandal.

Vice Mayor Scott Anderson and Natalie DiBernardo are seeking to guide the town forward.

The town also hasn’t had a long-term leader since John Lewis left the post in 2016. Jenn Daniels replaced Lewis but then abruptly resigned in 2020 before her term was up. Current Mayor Brigette Peterson halted her bid for a second term against the backdrop of the investigations into the “Gilbert Goons” a spate of teen assaults at its hands, and the scandal over the town's handling of them.

Anderson served as mayor for five months between Daniels’ and Peterson’s terms.

The fallout of the Gilbert Goons will continue to be a top issue for the incoming mayor. As well as a question about the ability to end the infighting that has plagued the Town Council.

The mayoral race was initially a three-way race with Gilbert resident Shane Krauser seeking the seat. After his son was discovered in a video with known Goon members and scrutiny for bringing ties to a signature challenge against DiBernardo, which ultimately was unsuccessful.

Soon after Krauser withdrew his bid for Gilbert mayor.

Both remaining candidates responded to the Arizona Republic's questionnaire.

Arizona local elections: Read our full coverage of the Gilbert mayor’s race

Early voting began July 3. Voters can check on the status of their mailed-in ballot on Maricopa County’s website at https://elections.maricopa.gov/voting/voter-dashboard-login. Those who choose to vote by mail are advised to mail their ballot by July 23 or drop it off at a ballot drop-off location or voting location by July 30.

Who is running for Gilbert mayor?

Rather than seeking a third term on the town council, Anderson decided to make his bid for the mayoral seat.

Anderson was first elected in 2016 after retiring from the town in 2013. He was dubbed the “founding father of the Gilbert Riparian Preserve,” a 110-acre park of which 70 acres are used for seven water basins, by the town.

Anderson also worked as the town’s planning director for 12 years.

In January he told The Republic he was running because the town needs to have “effective leadership” as he said he showed as a town employee and as a council member.

He said his leadership would help the town progress towards its future buildout instead of dealing with issues that arise from the infighting on the council.

DiBernardo isn’t a total stranger to local politics. In 2021, she launched a bid to run for the state legislature as a Republican.

She launched her bid for Gilbert Mayor late in the election season after she was encouraged by community members she told The Arizona Republic. Her public comments about the way the teen violence subcommittee was formed in January spurred supporters. She stated the subcommittee cut out the voices of the women and mothers on the council from stepping in.

She is a realtor and owns a small preschool. DiBernardo has lived in Gilbert for 18 years.

She characterizes herself as a “calm leader” who can foster “a tone of collaboration and inclusivity.”

Where they stand on the ‘Gilbert Goons’ investigations

The two rivals have opposite views on how Gilbert Police have handled the cases and what they will do as mayor to respond to community criticism.

Anderson was one of three council members to push for a council subcommittee to hold community forums and develop a plan on how to address the “Gilbert Goons” and teen violence. Anderson acted as the chair of the subcommittee.

Early on, the committee meetings acted as a place where residents joined together to point out the lack of response from police, council members, and staff in addressing numerous beatings that happened in the town over more than a year. Over a four-month period, the committee met to draw up the plan.

Many residents have pleaded with the council for the town to conduct a thorough review of the police’s investigations into the “Goons.”

Anderson told the Republic the “Police Department has acted with integrity and diligence when presented with evidence.” He said, “Investigations take time to establish defensible arrests.”

DiBernardo told the Republic the subcommittee “failed to take timely and meaningful action” and that it was “politicized” by some.

She is calling for an audit of “processes and policies that may have contributed to the issues surrounding teen violence.” The findings of that “should be used to implement better policies and hold people accountable if negligence or improper conduct is discovered,” DiBernardo said.

Can a new mayor bring harmony to the council?

Infighting and ethic probes have been the norm for the Gilbert Council over the past several years. At one point the council opted for mediation to help soothe the lingering conflicts among the members.

Anderson and DiBernardo differ on the value of filing ethics complaints, but both say they will strive to return civility to the seven-member elected body.

Anderson, also the chair of the ethics subcommittee, said he heard evidence that ethics probes over the last couple of years were used as political weapons.” He believes the revisions to the code of conduct will narrow the ability to bring forward “frivolous complaints.”

He also said the council has become the discord among the council distracts them from focusing on development and town projects that will be needed as Gilbert approaches buildout.

DiBernardo sees the reversions as a “great disservice” that has become “burdensome” for residents to “formally discuss their grievances.”

Among her top priorities is to “promote better communication and restore trust in our leadership and safety within our community.”

She said she will bring “fresh leadership and perspective to our town council.”

Where do they stand on business?

Both candidates received the stamp of approval from Gilbert’s Chamber of Commerce, a business advocate organization.

Anderson told the Chamber, that the town’s current “City of the Future” initiative will help the town from decaying in certain parts including the northwest area near the U.S. 60 freeway. The northern parts of Gilbert have some of the oldest infrastructure and neighborhoods.

The town recently passed a plan to address those elements of deterioration such as excessive vegetation, outdoor trash or repairs to building facades.

Gilbert can do that by implementing codes and guidelines as well as looking at incentives, he said.

In a questionnaire with the Chamber of Commerce, DiBernardo said she is focused on economic development and revitalizing existing commercial areas, such as the northwest corridor.

She told the chamber that upgrading or repairing aging infrastructure is a priority before spending money on new development.

Another priority of hers is to ensure that taxes between businesses and residents are fair and equal. She especially wants to make sure small businesses are not faced with unnecessary regulations.

Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek and can be reached at [email protected] or 480-271-0646. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @maritzacdom.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gilbert mayoral election 2024: Meet the candidates