Kate Gallego campaign posts reelection signs too early, breaking city rule

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego's campaign posted re-election signs over the weekend despite city guidelines telling candidates not to do so until Aug. 26.

Gallego's purple and yellow election signs reading "Keep Kate Gallego our Mayor" were spotted at multiple corners throughout Phoenix.

State law says political signs can go up 71 days before a primary election and must be removed 15 days after the general election. City and school board races in Arizona are non-partisan and don't technically have primaries, which has led to confusion for local candidates in Scottsdale most recently and in Peoria two years ago.

Phoenix election rules are clear: Candidates cannot post signs in city rights of way for the Nov. 5, 2024, general election until Aug. 26.

Gallego's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Gallego's opponent, Matt Evans, a man with little name recognition or funding, has sought support from the MAGA faction of Arizona's Republican electorate. Evans accused the mayor of cheating and "election interference."

"She's interfering with the ability to let two candidates get their names out at the same time," Evans said Monday. "To what degree? That's a different debate. But she's not playing by the rules."

He said he wasn't trying to pander to voters concerned about state and national election integrity but instead making a point that candidates of any party, and particularly incumbents, should be called out for playing unfairly.

"Incumbents will always win" if this practice goes unchecked, he said.

Evans told The Republic he did not lodge a formal complaint against Gallego.

The Phoenix city clerk did not immediately respond to request for comment.

City rules says if signs are found in violation, inspectors alert the campaign and provide 48 hours for fixing.

Evans faces an uphill battle in his race against Gallego. Campaign finance records show he was nearly $1,000 in the hole at the end of June, compared with Gallego's $1.4 million cash on hand.

Evans has used his fundraising disadvantage to argue he's a grassroots candidate who understands the everyday person and wouldn't be controlled by private interests. He calls Gallego "far left."

Taylor Seely covers Phoenix for The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com. Reach her at [email protected] or by phone at 480-476-6116.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mayor Kate Gallego campaign posts signs too early, breaking city rule