With 95% of Yavapai County precincts reporting, Christopher Dowell has defeated Cottonwood City Councilwoman Lisa DuVernary in a recall election to remove her from office.
“The voters have made their voices heard! Now it’s time to focus on the work ahead for our city,” Dowell stated late Tuesday, Nov. 5. “I extend my best wishes to my opponent in her future endeavors. With this newly elected council, we will work together to move our city forward. Thank you to everyone who supported me and trusts in my ability to represent our entire community.”
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past two years,” DuVernay stated early Wednesday, Nov. 6. “It’s been a long journey, and now I’m looking forward to some well-deserved rest and quality time with my family. Congratulations to my opponent—I am proud of our democratic process, and my love for our country remains steadfast.”
However, on her Gettr account, her statement was a bit different, omitting the congratulations to the opponent who defeated her and alleging, without providing any evidence, that she was somehow unseated by voters 66% to 33% due to financial contributions from George Soros: “Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past two years. It’s been a long journey, and now I’m looking forward to some well-deserved rest and quality time with my family. Unfortunately I could not overcome the bad press and the Soros money injected into the race. I am proud of our democratic process, and my love for our country remains steadfast.”
Dowell filed a financial report showing he raised a total of $788 in the race, of which $680 was personal funds. The $108 in donations are not from anyone named “Soros.”
DuVernay has not filed any campaign finance reports for her recall election, according to City Clerk Tami Mayes.
The general election ballot demanding the recall of DuVernay lists three reasons for her removal from office:
■ On Aug. 8, 2023, DuVernay showed pornographic video at a Cottonwood City Council meeting. There were children present.
■ DuVernay also appeared to threaten legal action against the city if the mayor did not instruct staff to draft a city ordinance that had already been voted down by the majority of the council.
■ On Oct. 3, 2023, when concerns were expressed about the appearance of nepotism if her husband sat on the Planning and Zoning Commission, DuVernay insisted she would abstain from voting on any issue on which it might appear inappropriate. She then voted her husband onto the commission.
Council Changes
The council will see a major overall after the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors canvass the official results and the new council is sworn in, with five current council members leaving the legislative body.
Dowell will replace DuVernay.
Incumbent Councilwoman Helaine Kurot, elected in 2020, lost a reelection bid for a second term.
Appointed Councilman Derek Palosaari, who faced an investigation into to harassment allegations against at least six city of Cottonwood female employees in December, declined to run for reelection this cycle. Palosaari has since filed a lawsuit against the city and current and former staffers, demanding $2 million, which, if he were to win, would be paid by Cottonwood taxpayers he is supposed to serve.
After the July primary election, Lindsay Masten pulled out of the runoff election for personal reasons, leaving Joy Mosely to run in an uncontested election.
Newcomers Mosley, Felicia Coates and Bob Marks will replace Mathews, Palosaari and Kurot.
Longtime Cottonwood Mayor Tim Elinski chose not to run for reelection this cycle. Ann Shaw and appointed Councilman Michael Mathews ran for the mayor’s seat. Shaw handily defeated Mathews by nearly 10 points, 1,409 to 1,157, or 54.91% to 45.09%.
“I would like to thank the non-partisan Rural Organizing Initiative for recruiting, guiding, and promoting first-time candidates for political office like me,” Shaw said in July. “It has been an honor to run with such community-spirited candidates for city council as Felicia Coates, Bob Marks, and Lindsay Masten. I would also like to thank all those who offered support, monetary and otherwise, especially my family, and most especially my daughter Jessica. And I thank the Cottonwood voters who were paying attention and sent a clear message about how they want their city to be run.”
Mathews did not respond to a request for comment after the election, and has not responded with any comment in the four months since he was defeated.
