With the November 3, 2026, election approaching, Scottsdale residents are making decisions about who will help guide the city’s future. On the latest episode of Scottsdale Vibes, host Alicia Haygood sits down with Scottsdale City Council candidates Raoul Zubia, incumbent Councilman Barry Graham, and Michelle Ugenti-Rita to discuss their priorities, their perspectives on local issues, and what they believe Scottsdale needs moving forward.
The conversations cover some of the biggest topics facing the community, including development, water security, short-term rentals, city spending, public safety, economic growth, and preserving Scottsdale’s distinctive character.
What Matters Most in the Scottsdale City Council Election?
Scottsdale is a community with a strong identity, a significant tourism economy, and neighborhoods that residents want to protect. As the city continues to attract businesses, visitors, and new residents, questions about growth, infrastructure, affordability, and quality of life remain central to the local conversation.
In their Scottsdale Vibes interviews, the candidates offer different perspectives on how the city should approach these challenges. Here are some of the key takeaways from their conversations with Alicia Haygood.
Raoul Zubia: Public Input, Neighborhoods and Responsible Growth
Raoul Zubia is a lifelong South Scottsdale resident and Coronado High School graduate who has served in community leadership roles, including with the Human Services Commission and the Protect and Preserve Scottsdale Task Force.
One of Zubia’s first priorities would be restoring the public comment period to the beginning of City Council meetings. He argues that moving public comment to the end of lengthy meetings makes it more difficult for residents to participate. He believes residents should have a meaningful opportunity to speak directly to their elected officials without waiting several hours.
Zubia also discusses fiscal responsibility, public safety, tourism, short-term rentals, and economic development. He says Scottsdale should carefully review its spending while ensuring that essential services remain adequately funded.
When it comes to development, Zubia points to the city’s General Plan, neighborhood character plans, and citizen input as important considerations. He believes residents should have a stronger voice in decisions that affect their neighborhoods.
His broader message is that Scottsdale should maintain the qualities that make it an attractive place to live and visit while encouraging thoughtful economic growth.
Learn more about his campaign at ZubiaForScottsdale.com.
Barry Graham: Fiscal Responsibility, Water Security and a Residents First Approach
Councilman Barry Graham is seeking reelection after serving his first term on Scottsdale City Council. A certified public accountant and lifelong Scottsdale resident, Graham has also served on the city’s Planning Commission, Transportation Commission, and Building Advisory Board of Appeals.
Graham identifies overdevelopment and water security as two of the most important issues facing Scottsdale. He argues that certain types of high-density development can increase demand for water, infrastructure, roads, and public safety services. He says the city should carefully consider those impacts when evaluating development proposals.
Fiscal responsibility is another major focus of his campaign. During the interview, Graham discusses city spending, cost overruns, road maintenance, public safety funding, and the importance of directing taxpayer dollars toward core municipal services.
He also addresses short-term rentals, which he says can create challenges for residential neighborhoods. Graham supports giving Scottsdale greater authority to regulate problem properties and says the city should balance its tourism economy with residents’ concerns.
Graham’s campaign centers on his Residents First message. He says his approach is to bring residents’ values to City Hall, protect neighborhood character, and prioritize services such as public safety, roads, and open space.
Learn more about his campaign at BarryGrahamResidentsFirst.com.
Michelle Ugenti-Rita: Protecting Scottsdale’s Character While Planning for Growth
Michelle Ugenti-Rita was born and raised in Scottsdale and has a background in public service, including serving in the Arizona House of Representatives and State Senate. Her legislative experience includes work involving appropriations, commerce, elections, and government.
In her interview with Alicia Haygood, Ugenti-Rita identifies the city’s budget and long-term fiscal health as major priorities. She advocates for reviewing spending from the ground up, examining individual expenditures, and determining whether taxpayer dollars are delivering appropriate value.
She also believes new development should pay for the infrastructure and services it requires, rather than shifting those costs onto existing taxpayers. In her view, responsible growth can strengthen Scottsdale’s economy without sacrificing the city’s established character.
Short-term rentals are another focus. Ugenti-Rita says she opposed the 2016 state legislation that limited local authority over short-term rentals and believes Scottsdale should have greater control over how these properties operate within residential neighborhoods.
Throughout the interview, she emphasizes protecting Scottsdale’s identity, preserving its Western heritage and open space, and maintaining the qualities that attract residents, businesses, and visitors.
Her campaign slogan, Elect Michelle: Protect, Preserve, Prosper, reflects her belief that protecting Scottsdale’s character and heritage can help support its future prosperity.
Learn more about her campaign at ElectMichelle.com.
Key Issues Scottsdale Voters Are Considering
Although the candidates have different approaches, their interviews highlight several issues that are important to the Scottsdale City Council election.
Development and neighborhood character: How should Scottsdale balance new investment and housing with the character of its neighborhoods, infrastructure capacity, and residents’ concerns?
Water security: What steps should the city take to protect its water resources while planning for future growth?
Short-term rentals: How can Scottsdale support tourism while addressing noise, public safety, and other concerns associated with short-term rental properties?
Fiscal responsibility: How should the city prioritize taxpayer dollars, maintain essential services, and evaluate the costs associated with new development and city projects?
Public safety and quality of life: What investments and policies will help Scottsdale remain a safe, attractive, and welcoming community?
Public input and trust: How can city leaders make residents feel heard and encourage productive conversations, even when council members disagree?
These questions affect neighborhoods across Scottsdale, from South Scottsdale to Central and North Scottsdale. The candidates’ interviews offer listeners an opportunity to hear how each approaches these issues and what they would prioritize if elected.
Listen to the Scottsdale Vibes City Council Candidate Interviews
Local elections have a direct impact on the communities where we live, work, and raise our families. Hearing directly from candidates can help voters better understand their priorities, experience, and plans for Scottsdale.
Listen to the latest episode of Scottsdale Vibes with Alicia Haygood featuring Raoul Zubia, Councilman Barry Graham, and Michelle Ugenti-Rita. Explore the candidates’ campaign websites, consider their positions, and make a plan to vote.
Election Day is November 3, 2026.
Scottsdale’s future is shaped by the people who participate in its civic life. Stay informed, get involved, and keep vibing, Scottsdale!
