Honestly, if you weren't paying close attention to the East Valley political scene last year, you might have missed just how high the stakes were. Mesa is a big city—like, "larger than Miami" big—and with long-time Mayor John Giles hitting his term limits, 2024 was always going to be a massive year for the city's future. The field of Mesa mayor candidates 2024 started out crowded, but it eventually boiled down to a heavyweight bout between two men who knew the city's inner workings better than almost anyone else.
It wasn't just a local popularity contest. It was a choice between two distinct paths for a city that is rapidly outgrowing its "suburb" reputation. On one side, you had the seasoned former mayor looking for a comeback, and on the other, a steady council member with deep agricultural roots in the community.
Who actually ran?
The primary in July was a bit of a scramble. Five candidates threw their hats in the ring, each trying to capture a different slice of the Mesa electorate. You had:
- Scott Smith: The former mayor (2008–2014) and former CEO of Valley Metro. He brought name recognition and a track record of steering the city through the Great Recession.
- Mark Freeman: A then-sitting City Council member and retired Captain Paramedic. He’s a guy who literally has Mesa in his blood—his family has been farming here since the 1800s.
- Ryan Winkle: A former council member who had a bit of a controversial exit from the council years ago and was looking for a political second act.
- Scott Neely: A business owner and former gubernatorial candidate who brought a more populist, outsider energy to the race.
- Carey Davis: The former mayor of San Bernardino, California, who had moved to Mesa and wanted to bring his experience to the desert.
The primary was incredibly tight. In fact, Scott Smith and Mark Freeman were separated by less than one percentage point. Smith took about 29.1% of the vote, while Freeman trailed by just a few hundred votes at 28.6%. Since nobody hit that magic 50% plus one mark, the race headed to a November runoff.
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The showdown: Freeman vs. Smith
By the time the general election rolled around in November 2024, the conversation had shifted. It became less about "who are these people?" and more about "who can we trust with the budget?"
Mark Freeman leaned heavily into his "homegrown" identity. He talked a lot about public safety—hardly surprising for a guy who spent 31 years with the Mesa Fire and Medical Department. But he also focused on "responsible growth." Mesa is exploding, and residents are feeling the pinch of traffic and rising costs. Freeman’s message was basically: I’ve lived here my whole life, I’ve served on the front lines, and I’m not going to let this city lose its soul.
Scott Smith, meanwhile, campaigned on his "proven leadership." He reminded voters how he helped keep Mesa afloat during the 2008 financial crash. His pitch was more about being a "CEO-style" mayor who could handle the complexities of a city that is now a major player in the semiconductor and tech industries.
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The results are in
When the dust finally settled after the November 5, 2024, general election, Mark Freeman emerged as the winner. He secured roughly 52.5% of the vote (about 101,808 votes), while Smith garnered 46.8% (90,704 votes).
It was a significant win, but not a landslide. It showed that while people respected Smith's legacy, there was a stronger appetite for Freeman’s "neighborhood first" approach. Freeman officially took office as the 41st Mayor of Mesa on January 7, 2025.
What were people actually worried about?
If you talked to anyone at the polls, three things kept coming up:
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- Homelessness and Housing: This was huge. Mesa has been trying to balance compassion with public order, notably through programs like "Off the Streets." Candidates had to answer for how they'd handle the growing encampments and the skyrocketing cost of rent.
- Public Safety: With Freeman being a former paramedic/firefighter, he had a natural edge here. People wanted to know that police and fire departments would be fully funded as the city expands eastward.
- Water: It’s Arizona. It’s always about water. Both candidates had to prove they had a plan for long-term sustainability as the Colorado River deal continues to be a headache for every municipality in the state.
Why this race mattered beyond Mesa
Mesa is often seen as a bellwether for Maricopa County. It's a city with a conservative heritage that has been trending more "purple" or moderate in recent years. The fact that the race was nonpartisan but featured two candidates with Republican affiliations—yet very different styles—tells you a lot about the current state of Arizona politics. It wasn't about "Left vs. Right" as much as it was about "Institutionalist vs. Localist."
What happens now?
Since Mark Freeman is now the guy in the big chair, he’s already moving on several of his campaign promises. He’s been vocal about keeping the "Mesa Promise"—the program that helps local students go to community college—while also looking at ways to tighten the city budget to avoid major tax hikes.
If you’re a resident, the best thing you can do is stay engaged with the Mesa City Council meetings. They’re held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Freeman’s term runs through 2029, so we’ve got a long road ahead to see if his vision for a "sustainable and prosperous future" actually pans out.
Actionable next steps for Mesa residents:
- Check the Council Schedule: Visit the official Mesa City Government website to see when the next study session or council meeting is. This is where the actual decisions on zoning and spending happen.
- Sign up for District News: Even if you voted for the mayor, your local district council member (like Rich Adams or Dorean Taylor) has a huge impact on your specific neighborhood.
- Watch the State of the City: Mayor Freeman will be giving his first major address soon. It’s usually the best way to see where the money is actually going for the next fiscal year.
The 2024 election is over, but the work of running the 36th largest city in America is just getting started. Keep an eye on the budget—that's usually where the real story is hidden.