SCOTTSDALE, AZ (AZ Family) – Current Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega conceded the election to his rival Lisa Borowsky, who according to the Associated Press is projected to win the race.

The election was a rematch of 2020, when Ortega defeated Borowsky by nearly 6,000 votes, but the tables turned this year when the race was called for Borowsky. As of Thursday morning, the recount shows Borowsky with 56,050 (53.9%) to 47,953 (46.1%), with an estimated 73% of the votes counted.

“It has been my honor to serve the residents of Scottsdale as mayor. This was a very close campaign and although my re-election was not enough, I thank each and every voter, volunteer and friend for their support. “I congratulate Mayor-elect Borowsky on her victory,” Ortega said in a statement. “She and I disagreed on many issues during this campaign, but I recognize her commitment to the residents of Scottsdale and wish her success.”

According On Borowsky’s campaign website, the lifelong Scottsdale resident has spent more than two decades as a commercial litigation attorney, representing homeowners in construction-related matters. He also has extensive experience in community engagement, including Scottsdale Charros Foundationand has served on several committees while on the City Council.

She says that the ideals of “Fiscal conservatism” helped the city recover from the Great Recession.

While both ran a nonpartisan campaign, Ortega was endorsed by current and former conservative leaders, including Ortega’s predecessor Jim Lane, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb and former state Attorney General Mark Brnovich.

His top campaign priorities included rejecting density-focused development and curbing what he described as “wasting taxpayer money.” His campaign website also details seven key issues and focuses on the hospitality industry, prioritizing public safety and “vision-based planning.”

On the eve of the election, critics of former independent councilor Ortega said efforts to limit high-density development, such as high-rise apartment buildings in the old towncreated a real estate crisis in the city. It was also examined by some county leaders and residents of the neighboring community of Rio Verde Foothills when their water was shut off before an agreement was reached.

Do you see a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send to us here with a brief description.

Copyright 2024 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.