When you look at the landscape of Arizona politics, things get messy fast. You've probably seen the name Lisa Borowsky popping up more often lately, especially after she took over the Mayor’s office in Scottsdale. Naturally, people are asking: is Lisa Borowsky a Republican, or is there more to the story?
Honestly, the answer is a "yes," but with a side of "it depends on how you're looking at it." If you check her official voter registration or her past runs for higher office, she is firmly in the GOP camp. However, she currently serves in a nonpartisan seat, which basically means she doesn't have an "R" next to her name on the ballot when she's running for Mayor. This leads to a lot of confusion for voters who just want a straight answer.
The Short Answer: Yes, Lisa Borowsky is a Republican
Let's look at the hard facts first. Lisa Borowsky is affiliated with the Republican Party. This isn't just a rumor or a guess based on her policy leanings. In 2012, she actually ran in the Republican primary for Arizona's 9th Congressional District. She didn't win that race—it was a crowded field including names like Wendy Rogers and Vernon Parker—but her participation in a partisan primary is the clearest evidence of her party alignment.
Even though she's a Republican, her current role as Mayor of Scottsdale is technically nonpartisan.
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In Arizona, city council and mayoral races don't officially use party labels. You won't see "Republican" or "Democrat" on the Scottsdale municipal ballot. This is designed to keep local issues like trash pickup and zoning separate from the shouting matches in Washington, D.C. But let’s be real: everyone usually knows where a candidate stands. Borowsky has consistently campaigned on platforms that scream "fiscal conservative," focusing on reining in spending and protecting taxpayers.
Why People Ask About Her Party
If she's a known Republican, why the constant questioning? It mostly comes down to the way Scottsdale politics has shifted lately. During the 2024 election, she unseated David Ortega, who was often described as an independent or more leaning toward the center-left. Borowsky’s victory was seen as a win for the conservative wing of the city, but she’s had a bumpy ride since taking office in early 2025.
What's really interesting—and kinda wild—is that she has spent a lot of time "crossing swords" with her own party members on the City Council.
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You’d think a Republican Mayor would have an easy time with a conservative-leaning council, right? Not exactly. As of late 2025 and early 2026, Borowsky has been at odds with council members like Barry Graham and Jan Dubauskas. In fact, things got so heated that some council members reportedly requested investigations into her handling of design contracts. When you have Republicans fighting Republicans, it makes voters start wondering if they’ve got the party labels right.
A Career Built on "Common Sense"
Borowsky is a lawyer by trade. She spent years representing homeowners against big developers in construction defect cases. That "tenacious" attitude, as she calls it, translated into her political brand.
- Fiscal Accountability: She’s obsessed with the budget. Back when she was on the City Council from 2008 to 2012, she pushed for the City Treasurer to become a Charter Officer.
- Quality Development: She talks a lot about "protecting Scottsdale's future," which basically means she doesn't want the city to be overrun by high-density apartments.
- Public Safety: Like most Republicans, she makes funding for police and fire services a top priority.
The 2024 Win and the Aftermath
The 2024 mayoral race was a rematch of 2020. In 2020, Ortega beat her. In 2024, Borowsky flipped the script, winning with about 54% of the vote. It was a clear signal that Scottsdale residents were looking for a more conservative approach to growth.
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But since she assumed office on January 14, 2025, it hasn't been smooth sailing. Just recently, in January 2026, her Chief of Staff, Lamar Whitmer, was escorted out of City Hall by police and placed on leave. Borowsky called it a "blatant political hit." This kind of drama is exactly why people keep digging into her background. They’re trying to figure out if these fights are about policy, party, or just personality clashes.
Key Takeaways for Scottsdale Voters
If you’re trying to pin down Lisa Borowsky's political identity, here is the breakdown of what actually matters:
- Party Label: She is a registered Republican and has run for office as a Republican in the past.
- Current Status: She holds a nonpartisan office, meaning her party isn't on the city ballot.
- Governance Style: She operates as a fiscal conservative, though she often clashes with other conservatives on the council over specific local projects.
- Major Issues: Her focus remains on "Common Sense Municipal Leadership," specifically targeting wasteful spending and traffic congestion.
Understanding is Lisa Borowsky a Republican is only half the battle. To really get what's happening in Scottsdale, you have to look at the local alliances. Party lines matter, but in city hall, who you're talking to—and who you're fighting with—usually matters more.
If you want to stay informed on her latest moves, keep a close eye on the Scottsdale City Council meeting minutes and local news reports. The friction between the Mayor's office and the Council majority is likely to define the rest of her term, regardless of the party names on their voter registration cards.