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Phil Gordon
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 Phil Gordon |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 2, 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Skip Rimsza |
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| Born | April 18, 1951 Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of Arizona, Arizona State University |
| Profession | Politician |
Phil Gordon (born April 18, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American Democratic party politician, and the 51st and current mayor of Phoenix, Arizona. He was sworn in as mayor on January 2, 2004.
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Early life, education, and early career
Born to Sidney and Judy Gordon, he is the oldest of three children. In 1960, the Gordon family moved to Phoenix where Phil attended Madison Meadows Elementary and Middle School and Central High School. He attended the University of Arizona and graduated with a bachelor's degree in education. After earning his undergraduate degree, Gordon entered Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.
Gordon has had worked in a variety of professions, including as a school teacher, lawyer, business owner, chairman of Landiscor Aerial Photography Company, as well serving on the Madison School Board.
After serving as chief of staff to a former Phoenix Mayor in 1996, Gordon's interest in Phoenix became his incentive to seek public office. Pledging to fight crime and preserve neighborhoods, he entered the race for Phoenix City Council and was elected in 1997 and 2001.[citation needed]
Mayoralty
The former city councilman was elected mayor in the non-partisan mayoral race on September 9, 2003, garnering 72 percent of the vote, and re-elected on September 11, 2007, with 77 percent of the vote.[1][2][3]
During his tenure at Phoenix City Hall, Gordon has focused heavily on revitalizing downtown Phoenix. He and other members of the Phoenix City Council have put more than $1 billion into the city's core,[4][5] investing in projects such as the revitalization of the Phoenix Convention Center, the construction of a new $350 million Sheraton hotel,[6] and the creation of a downtown Arizona State University campus.[7]
Gordon has also been a staunch backer of a controversial $1.1 billion multi-modal transportation system which was approved by 65 percent of Phoenix voters in March, 2000. [8][9][10] Most recently, the Mayor has engaged in a verbal dispute with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio over issues related to illegal immigration.[11][12]
In 2008 a group calling itself American Citizens United setup a petition to recall Gordon from office. The group faltered and did not submit any signatures.[13][14]
See also
References
- ^ SUMMARY OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL ELECTION SEPTEMBER 9, 2003
- ^ Phoenix Business Journal, September 2007
- ^ Gordon sweeps mayor's race, sales tax increase passes - Topix
- ^ Arizona Republic, Sept. 2006
- ^ About Copper Square: Recent News
- ^ Arizona Republic, February 2007 "Filling a Void: Big-ticket projects (in downtown) include a new Arizona State University campus, a University of Arizona medical school, light rail, a $600 million-plus expansion of the Phoenix Convention Center and a new $350 million Sheraton hotel.
- ^ Arizona Republic, August 2006
- ^ Phoenix Business Journal
- ^ Phoenix Business Journal, December 2004
- ^ Phoenix Business Journal, Feb. 2005
- ^ Arizona Republic, April 2008
- ^ KTAR, April 2008
- ^ "Nativists' recall effort against Phil Gordon fails, not one signature submitted" Phoenix New Times, August 28, 2008.
- ^ http://kfyi.com/pages/local_news.html?feed=118695&article=4163157
External links
- Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon's official website
- Phil Gordon for Mayor official website
- Phil Gordon official MySpace.com page
- CityMayors profile
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