2 candidates are running for Avondale mayor. What to know

Avondale residents have likely already seen signs around Avondale urging them to vote for either Mike Pineda or Veronica Malone.

Both are current members of the Avondale City Council, having each been elected in 2016. Malone and Pineda have both reached their term limit, making them ineligible to run for another term on City Council. Both have lived in Avondale for several decades and work in education. Both responded to The Arizona Republic's questionnaire.

Pineda, 49, is a lifelong West Valley resident and has lived in Avondale since 2001. He is business program director at Estrella Mountain Community College and is a residential faculty member. He currently serves on several different boards, including the Maricopa Association of Governments Economic Development Council and the WESTMARC board of directors.

Malone, 50, is also an Arizona native and has lived in Avondale since 1983. She has worked in education for 18 years and is a special project technician with Littleton Elementary School District. She currently serves as Avondale's representative on the Luke West Valley Council and the National League of Cities, as well as several other boards.

Arizona local elections:Read our full coverage of the Avondale mayor’s race

Early voting began July 3. Voters can check on the status of their mailed-in ballot on Maricopa County’s website at https://elections.maricopa.gov/voting/voter-dashboard-login. Those who choose to vote by mail are advised to mail their ballot by July 23 or drop it off at a ballot drop-off location or voting location by July 30.

What are the Avondale candidates' priorities?

Pineda's campaign has focused on expanding opportunities for education and small businesses in Avondale, while Malone's campaign has had more so of a focus on public safety.

Malone's first priority has focused on safety and improving infrastructure.

Pineda said his first priority would be improving internal departments to ensure that the city functions most efficiently. That would include making sure that all departments and appropriately staffed and able to provide residents with the highest level of service, he said. That will, in turn, help to attract developers, small businesses, and residents.

Malone's campaign has also focused on expanding education opportunities in Avondale and providing additional support for first responders. If elected, Malone said she would partner with business leaders to stimulate economic growth and development. That might include further investing in education or health care.

Malone has also emphasized expanding infrastructure and implementing improvements in places like Old Town Avondale and Las Ligas. The city has been undergoing improvements to the Old Town area for several years and allocated over $6 million in its fiscal year 2025 budget.

Both Malone and Pineda said they would aim to not raise taxes if raised with a deficit with the city budget. Many cities will begin to face a funding gap in 2025: last summer, the state Legislature passed a bill that would ban cities from implementing rental taxes. While supporters say the bill will help the state's affordable housing crisis, some say cities will have a harder time funding essential municipal services, such as police and fire.

Currently, about 40% of Avondale's residents live in renter-occupied households, and between $4 million and $5 million is collected annually from rental taxes. The city has charged the rent tax since 1987. Most of that money goes to the general fund, which funds the city's police and fire departments.

But two data centers in southern Avondale will help to close that gap, Pineda said. The first one will generate about $5 million, while the second one will generate over $10 million in tax revenue, Pineda said.

Malone also said that raising residents' taxes in response to the deficit would be a last resort. Program cuts would come first and would be approached thoughtfully to minimize impacts to essential services and vulnerable populations, Malone said. Public safety services like police and fire would be a priority, Malone said.

Here's what transportation projects the candidates would invest in

One of the West Valley's most talked about transportation projects over the past several years has been State Route 30, which both Malone and Pineda said they see as Avondale's most important transportation project.

State Route 30 would serve as a direct route from the West Valley to downtown Phoenix and would help relieve some of the traffic on Interstate 10.

State Route 30 would be partially funded by Proposition 479, which is a half-cent sales tax that voters will decide on in November.

Malone and Pineda both also mentioned support for WeRide, which is the city's affordable transportation service and has provided 30,000 rides since its implementation in October 2022, Malone said. Both WeRide, as well as part of State Route 30, would be funded through city resources and partnerships, Pineda said.

As a way to increase affordable housing options, Pineda said he would prioritize updating the city's general plan, promoting walkable communities and accessory dwelling units. But if it came down to a decision, Pineda said he would prioritize affordable housing over limiting density within the city.

Malone said she would discuss strategies that address the need for affordable housing while also limiting density with local businesses and organizations. Some of her ideas include mixed-income developments, providing an incentive for the construction of affordable housing and revitalizing underused areas while still maintaining the neighborhood's character.

Who supports Pineda and Malone?

Pineda met with residents on June 22 at a local coffee shop, while Malone met with residents on June 26.

Pineda has been particularly creative in using videos on Facebook and Instagram for his campaign to inform residents about upcoming events. He has been endorsed by various local government officials, including current Avondale Mayor Kenn Weise and Goodyear Councilmember Wally Campbell.

Malone, for her part, has received endorsements from local organizations such as the Arizona Police Association and the Avondale Professional Firefighters Association Local 3924.

Reach the reporter at ahardle@gannett.com or by phone at 480-259-8545. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @AlexandraHardle.