The Chandler Chamber of Commerce has officially endorsed incumbents Christine Ellis and O.D. Harris, along with challenger Cicely Rocha-Miller, as the “most suitable” candidates for the three positions on the ballot in the July 30 Chandler City Council election.
The Chamber made the endorsements public this week, saying they follow a three-part candidate screening process with a questionnaire, interview, and a live Q&A forum.
In a news release, the Chamber said the decision was made “after a rigorous and impartial deliberation process, where each candidate’s platform, experience, and dedication to promoting a thriving business environment were thoroughly assessed.”
Terri Kimble. president and CEO of the Chamber, wrote that endorsements go to candidates who “understand and support the needs of our business community and share a commitment to promoting economic growth and innovation.”
The Chandler Chamber’s endorsement process includes the following steps:
Step 1 - Candidate questionnaire: Candidates seeking endorsement received a preliminary questionnaire to gather essential information about their campaign, platform, and background.
A select group of business leaders thoroughly reviewed the responses to ensure a complete understanding of each candidate’s stance and priorities.
Step 2: Candidate endorsement interview: Qualified candidates who completed the questionnaire were invited to participate in an endorsement interview.
These interviews offered candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform, qualifications, and vision directly to the Chandler Chamber.
A second select group of business leaders reviewed the recorded interviews to provide diverse perspectives on each candidate’s suitability for endorsement.
Step 3 - Candidate forum: Candidates who successfully complete both the questionnaire and interview were participants in a candidate forum on May 7 in Chandler Council Chambers.
This forum served as a crucial platform for candidates to engage with the community, present their platforms, and address key issues facing the City of Chandler.
Following the forum, a third select group of business leaders provided their assessment of each candidate’s policy priorities.
After the forum, the Chandler Chamber Good Government Committee discussed candidate evaluations and made an official endorsement recommendation to the Chandler Chamber Executive Committee for review.
The executive committee presented the final recommendations to the board of directors for final approval and an official Chandler Chamber endorsement.
In the close 2020 election, Ellis received the most votes, though fewer than 6,000 votes separated first place from sixth place. Mark Stewart placed second to earn re-election, with Harris earning the final four-year seat.
Stewart is term-limited and cannot run again, so three at-large council members will be elected by voters this year, so there will be at least one new Council member sworn in next January.
Ellis and Harris are seeking re-election and are being challenged by Rocha-Miller, Jennifer Hawkins, A.J. Kurdoglu, Michael Simon and Joseph Yang.
To view the one-on-one interviews and the May 7 Candidate Forum at Chandler Council Chambers, click here .
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