If you’ve been following Arizona local politics lately, you know things in the East Valley usually aren't this loud. Mesa is normally the steady, quiet sibling to Phoenix’s chaotic energy. But the most recent Mesa mayor election results tell a different story. It was a heavyweight bout between two guys who basically know every crack in the city's sidewalks.
On one side, you had Scott Smith. He’s the former mayor who actually left the job years ago to run for Governor and lead Valley Metro. On the other side was Mark Freeman. Freeman is a name that carries some serious weight in this town—his family has been farming alfalfa and sweet corn in the area since the 1800s.
When the dust finally settled after the November 2024 general election, Mark Freeman came out on top. He secured roughly 52.5% of the vote, which translates to 101,808 ballots in his favor. Scott Smith trailed with 46.8%, or about 90,704 votes.
Why the primary was a total nail-biter
Honestly, the general election felt like a sequel because the July primary was so incredibly close. In a field of five candidates, Smith and Freeman were essentially neck-and-neck. Smith actually "won" the primary by a hair—getting 29.1% to Freeman's 28.6%.
We’re talking about a difference of just a few hundred votes out of tens of thousands cast. That's why the runoff was so intense. The other candidates, like Ryan Winkle and Carey Davis, were knocked out, leaving Mesa voters to choose between two versions of "experienced leadership."
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The Freeman factor: Fire, farming, and family
Mark Freeman isn't just a politician. He’s a guy who spent 31 years as a captain paramedic with the Mesa Fire and Medical Department. You can't really buy that kind of local credibility. During the campaign, he leaned heavily on that "hometown hero" image. He was sworn in as the 41st mayor on January 7, 2025, taking the reins from John Giles.
The transition from Giles to Freeman is interesting because Giles was known for being a bit of a maverick—a Republican who wasn't afraid to buck his party. Freeman, while running in a nonpartisan race, is generally seen as a conservative who focuses heavily on the "meat and potatoes" of city life: public safety, water resources, and keeping taxes low.
Breaking down the numbers
Let's look at how the votes actually split. This wasn't a landslide, but it was a clear mandate.
In the final certified tally for the general election:
Mark Freeman brought home 101,808 votes.
Scott Smith earned 90,704 votes.
Write-ins and others accounted for a tiny 0.6%, or 1,243 votes.
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Total turnout was impressive for a municipal race, with over 193,000 residents weighing in. That’s a lot of people showing up for a city-level job. It shows that people in Mesa are genuinely worried about how the city handles its massive growth.
What people got wrong about this race
A lot of folks thought Scott Smith’s name recognition would carry him through. He had been mayor during the Great Recession and received a lot of credit for "saving" Mesa back then. But the electorate has changed. Mesa has grown a ton since 2014.
Freeman’s message resonated more with the newer suburban families and the "old guard" alike. He talked about the "Mesa way"—sorta this idea of maintaining a small-town feel even though Mesa is now the 36th largest city in the United States.
He also had the advantage of being the sitting Vice Mayor recently. He was "in the room" while the city was navigating post-pandemic growth, whereas Smith had been away from City Hall for a decade. Sometimes, being the "new" old guy is harder than being the "current" guy.
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Real-world impact for Mesa residents
So, what does this actually change for you if you live near Baseline or Power Road? Freeman has been pretty vocal about a few specific things that are now moving forward:
- Public Safety First: Expect more funding for fire and police. Given his background, he’s unlikely to ever cut these budgets.
- The Water Crisis: This is the big one. With the Colorado River issues, Freeman is pushing hard on water conservation and securing Mesa's future rights.
- Economic Development: He’s focused on the "Gateway" area near the airport. He wants high-paying tech jobs, not just more warehouses.
Actionable insights for the future
If you're a Mesa resident or business owner, the election results mean the "Giles Era" is over and the "Freeman Era" has begun. Here is how you can stay involved:
- Watch the Council Sessions: Freeman is big on transparency. You can actually watch the City Council meetings online or attend in person at the chambers on 1st Street. It's the best way to see if he's sticking to those campaign promises.
- Keep an Eye on District 1: Since Freeman moved from his Council seat to the Mayor's office, Rich Adams has taken over that District 1 spot. How they work together will determine how fast projects get approved in North Mesa.
- Participate in "Your Mesa, Your Voice": The city frequently holds forums. Freeman mentioned during his campaign that he wants more direct feedback from neighborhoods, so now is the time to actually speak up about that pothole or the new development going up behind your house.
The 2024-2025 transition marks a significant shift for the city. It's a move toward a more traditional, "Mesa-first" style of governance. Whether that leads to the sustainable growth Freeman promised is something we'll all be watching over the next four years.