Kate Gallego

Kate Gallego
62nd Mayor of Phoenix
Incumbent
Assumed office March 21, 2019
Preceded by	Thelda Williams
Member of the Phoenix City Council from the 8th district
In office January 2, 2014 – August 7, 2018
Preceded by	Michael Johnson
Succeeded by	Felicita Mendoza
Personal details
Born	Katharine Sarah Widland (1981-10-21) October 21, 1981 Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Ruben Gallego ​ ​ (m. 2010; div. 2017)​
Children	1
Education	Harvard University (BA) University of Pennsylvania (MBA)
Website	Campaign website

External videos
“Rethinking cities in the face of extreme heat”, Kate Gallego and others, Knowable Magazine, 2022.

Katharine Sarah Gallego (née Widland, born October 21, 1981) is an American politician serving as the 62nd mayor of Phoenix, Arizona, since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served on the Phoenix City Council from 2014 to 2018.

Early life and education

Gallego grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her parents are attorneys who moved to Albuquerque from Chicago after the 1979 Chicago blizzard. She grew up with asthma, which made air quality important to her.

Gallego graduated from Albuquerque Academy, where she served as student body vice president. She earned a bachelor's degree in environmental science and public policy from Harvard College and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Political career

Gallego worked for the Arizona Democratic Party, the Arizona Office of Tourism, as well as on economic development and strategic planning for the Salt River Project. On November 5, 2013, Gallego was elected to the Phoenix City Council for the 8th district; she was reelected in 2017. With Greg Stanton, the Mayor of Phoenix, running for the United States House of Representatives in the 2018 elections, Gallego announced she would run in a special election to succeed him. She resigned from the city council effective August 7, 2018.

Elections

The city of Phoenix has nonpartisan mayoral elections. In the 2018 special election, Kate Gallego and Daniel Valenzuela advanced to a runoff in November 2018. They defeated Moses Sanchez and Nicholas Sarwark. Although the election was nonpartisan, both candidates were Democrats. Previously on the city council, they had voted similarly. Kate Gallego defeated Daniel Valenzuela in the special general runoff election for the mayor of Phoenix in 2019. She received 58.6% of votes. She assumed office on March 21, 2019. She is only the second female mayor in Phoenix history and one of the youngest big city mayors in the United States. She was backed by progressives, labor unions, the Arizona Republic editorial board, and liberal advocacy organizations. Examples of these include Emily's List, Sierra Club, and the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona.

In 2020, Kate Gallego ran for re-election. In November 2020, she was returned to office with the highest number of votes ever cast in a mayoral election. Merissa Hamilton, a Libertarian write in candidate, was Gallego's closest opponent. Hamilton received 26.29% of votes. Gallego won the election receiving 60.7% of the votes.

Gallego tours GateWay Community College with Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh

Climate change

During Gallego's tenure as mayor, Phoenix has taken steps to counter the urban heat island effects which are aggravated by climate change. Increasing temperatures in the Phoenix area are projected to cost billions of dollars per year. Among the steps being taken are the creation of "cool corridors" through the planting of desert-adapted trees, and the use of lighter-colored sidewalks and streets, particularly in areas with high pedestrian traffic and little shade. Where to plant the trees is determined in part based on "tree equity." The city uses an interactive tool from the nonprofit American Forests that grades shade in neighborhoods based on satellite images. Phoenix has also opened one of the first city heat mitigation offices in the United States. It will support climate mitigation in Phoenix and share strategies with individuals and cities worldwide.

Policing

The police department of Phoenix recorded shooting 44 people in 2018, spurring a reassessment from the community on police accountability. In 2020, Gallego suggested a plan for a citizens review board that would balance the police department interests and community interests. City councilman Carlos Garcia, who ran on further police accountability, created a plan focused on empowering a citizens review board from input of the community and groups such as Puente Human Rights and Poder in Action. The city council passed Garcia's model for a review board when Gallego and vice mayor Betty Guardados switched their votes from Gallego's model to the Garcia model with a 5–4 vote.

A Department of Justice investigation was initiated in August 2021 looking into if the police used excessive force on protestors and sweeping of homeless people and their property. The investigation planned to look at current police practices and its handling of the disabled. On June 13, 2024, an executive summary of the investigation into the Phoenix Police Department (PhxPD) noted the following:

• PhxPD uses excessive force, including unjustified deadly force and other types of force.
• PhxPD and the City unlawfully detain, cite, and arrest people experiencing homelessness and unlawfully dispose of their belongings.
• PhxPD discriminates against Black, Hispanic, and Native American people when enforcing the law.
• PhxPD violates the rights of people engaged in protected speech and expression.
• PhxPD and the City discriminate against people with behavioral health disabilities when dispatching calls for assistance and responding to people in crisis.

Housing

During Mayor Kate Gallego's tenure, Phoenix faced significant challenges related to housing. In 2019, the city experienced a severe housing crisis, characterized by rapidly rising home prices and rent, which led to increased rates of homelessness and housing instability. The crisis was attributed to a combination of high population growth, a lack of affordable housing, and economic factors that put pressure on the housing market.

The housing crisis continued to impact Phoenix's communities in subsequent years. By 2021, the situation had worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated economic disparities and led to further increases in housing prices and rent. The pandemic also caused a spike in eviction rates, disproportionately affecting low-income and minority communities.

In 2022, Phoenix's housing market was described as one of the most unaffordable in the nation, with significant impacts on middle-class families as well. Many residents faced financial hardship, and the lack of affordable housing options continued to be a critical issue.

Efforts to address the crisis have included initiatives to increase affordable housing availability and provide support to those affected by homelessness and housing instability. However, the long-term resolution of the housing crisis remains a significant challenge for Phoenix.

Homelessness Crisis

The housing crisis in Phoenix has contributed to a significant homelessness crisis. In recent years, the number of people experiencing homelessness has surged. In 2020, it was reported that Phoenix had one of the highest increases in homelessness rates among major U.S. cities. Factors contributing to this rise include the lack of affordable housing, economic instability, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By 2023, the situation had worsened, with a significant increase in the number of unsheltered individuals. Efforts to provide emergency shelter and services have been ongoing, but many advocates argue that more comprehensive solutions are needed to address the root causes of homelessness.

Historical Implications

The housing and homelessness crisis in Phoenix has deep historical implications. Historically, Phoenix has experienced rapid population growth and urban sprawl, which have strained housing resources and infrastructure. The boom-and-bust cycles of the real estate market, coupled with economic recessions, have exacerbated housing affordability issues. The lack of long-term planning and investment in affordable housing has resulted in cyclical crises, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.

Additionally, historical policies such as redlining and discriminatory lending practices have contributed to racial disparities in housing, impacting Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities the most. These communities have faced systemic barriers to homeownership and have been more likely to experience housing instability and homelessness.

The historical lack of affordable housing has led to a situation where low-income and minority residents are at greater risk of homelessness. This crisis has called attention to the need for systemic changes and long-term solutions to ensure equitable access to housing for all Phoenix residents.

Elections Oversight

In 2020, the City of Phoenix decided to transfer the responsibility of running its elections to Maricopa County. This decision was made to streamline the election process and ensure consistency with county-wide voting procedures. The transition aimed to enhance efficiency and reduce costs associated with administering elections separately.

The implications of this transfer were significant. One of the key benefits was the potential for improved voter access and turnout, as Maricopa County could leverage its larger resources and infrastructure to manage the elections more effectively. Additionally, the county's experience in handling large-scale elections was expected to reduce the likelihood of administrative errors and improve overall election integrity.

However, some concerns were raised about local representation and oversight. Critics argued that the transfer could lead to a loss of local control over election-specific issues that uniquely affect Phoenix residents. There were also apprehensions about the responsiveness of county officials to the needs and concerns of Phoenix voters compared to a city-run election process.

Overall, the decision to hand over election duties to Maricopa County marked a significant change in how elections are managed in Phoenix, with both potential benefits and challenges for the city's electorate.

Transportation

In January 2024, Gallego was appointed to the Transforming Transportation Advisory Committee, which will advise the U.S. Department of Transportation on ways to improve public transportation.

Personal life

Gallego is Jewish, celebrating her bat mitzvah in Albuquerque.

While attending Harvard, Kate met Ruben Gallego at a charity auction following the September 11 attacks. They moved to Phoenix in 2004, and married in 2010. The couple announced their divorce in 2016, prior to the birth of their child, Michael. She endorsed Ruben's 2024 U.S. Senate candidacy.

See also

• List of mayors of the 50 largest cities in the United States

External links

• Official profile

• Profile at Vote Smart
• Appearances on C-SPAN