Scottsdale voters turned out on Election Day and delivered a clear victory for the city’s conservative representatives. Unofficial results show Michelle Ugenti‑Rita leading the race with 48,816 votes (33.86%) and Barry Graham a close second with 48,777 votes (33.83%). Both candidates ran as Republicans in a nonpartisan ballot, while Democratic challenger Raoul Zubia trailed by 2,208 votes.
Vote totals and early counting
The Scottsdale City Council race attracted 109,080 votes. Early counts from the Maricopa County elections department indicated that 186,300 ballots remained uncounted across the county, but the gap between the two leading Republicans and Zubia widened as more votes were processed.
Conservative bloc remains on council
With Ugenti‑Rita and Graham securing the two seats, the council is expected to retain a conservative majority. The duo criticized Zubia for receiving support from the Democratic Socialists of America, a claim Zubia denied. Local Republican groups rallied behind the winners, while Democratic organizations backed Zubia.
Impact on legislative district 3
The same voting pattern extended to Arizona Legislative District 3, which includes much of Scottsdale. Incumbent Republican State Senator John Kavanagh led his race with roughly 60% of early votes, and Republican House candidates Cody Reim and George Khalaf held sizable leads over their Democratic opponents.
Candidate backgrounds
Michelle Ugenti‑Rita, a lifelong Scottsdale resident, previously served in the Arizona Legislature and ran unsuccessfully for statewide office in 2022 and 2024. She campaigned on protecting the city from high‑density overdevelopment and opposing the so‑called “toilet‑to‑tap” water reuse plan promoted by Zubia.
Barry Graham, a certified public accountant and former council member, emphasized his opposition to the Axon development project in North Scottsdale. He praised residents for standing up to special interests and promised an ideology‑free council focused on neighborhood safety and responsible spending.
Local issues dominate campaign
Both winners highlighted concerns about rapid development, water security, and fiscal stewardship. Ugenti‑Rita attacked Zubia’s water‑reuse proposal as “unqualified” and linked it to “woke” academic influences. Graham warned that the Axon apartment complex would have cost taxpayers $7,000‑$8,000 per acre‑foot of water for a limited water supply benefit.
Community response
Turning Point activist Tyler Bowyer celebrated the outcome, noting that the team worked hard for the candidates. Local residents expressed relief that the council will continue to prioritize open spaces, public safety, and careful review of large‑scale projects.
Looking ahead
With the council’s conservative bloc intact, Scottsdale can expect continued resistance to large‑scale, high‑density developments and a focus on preserving the city’s quality of life. The next council session will address budget allocations, zoning decisions, and further water‑security planning, all under the guidance of the newly elected members.
Original reporting: Scottsdale Progress — read the source article.
