Camp Verde Mayoral Election

Camp Verde Vice Mayor Wendy Escoffier and political newcomer Gary Thompson are running for Camp Verde mayor, to be decided in the Tuesday, July 21, primary election. They seek to fill the seat being vacated by current Camp Verde Mayor Marie Moore, who assumed the post of mayor in April 2025 after then-Mayor Dee Jenkins was appointed Yavapai County District 2 supervisor. Jenkins opted not to run for reelection to her county seat, which is being sought by Republican candidates Moore and Wiley Cline; no Democratic candidate is running for District 2.

Wendy Escoffier

• Length of time in Camp Verde: Purchased property and moved to Camp Verde in March 1989.
• Professional/personal background: Camp Verde Vice Mayor Wendy Escoffier has a degree in journalism from Northern Arizona University and covered local government news in Camp Verde for nearly six years. She earned a master’s degree in public administration and worked for the Town of Camp Verde, Coconino County Board of Supervisors and was a contract employee with the Prescott Valley Town Clerk’s Office. She is a certified municipal clerk, certified professional county clerk and in the 2026 inaugural class of the League of Arizona Cities & Towns Civic Craft Leadership Program.

What makes you qualified to be Camp Verde mayor?
In addition to my professional background, I am the best-qualified candidate for mayor because of my current service on the Town Council. I am well-versed in the various issues facing our community, including legislative restrictions on local government, proposed cuts in state shared revenues and reductions in Highway User Revenue Fund funding.

I currently represent the town on regional committees focused on rural water issues, transportation funding, workforce housing and economic development. Through these roles, I have established strong relationships with my colleagues in the Verde Valley as well as our state and federal representatives.

My education and experience provide me with a deep understanding of local government operations and State Law. I recognize that the mayor holds the same voting power as other council members, and because of my experience, there will be no learning curve when I assume the office. If elected, I will ensure a smooth and effective transition of leadership.

The Camp Verde Equestrian Center has had ongoing management instability and the Town of Camp Verde is seeking a new operator of the facility. What criteria matter most to you when evaluating any future operator?
I would like to clarify that, because management of the facility has transitioned from Camp Verde Arena Association to town staff, I do not believe the term “ongoing management instability” is accurate. Town staff will continue to manage and operate the equestrian center for the foreseeable future. Moving forward, management and operations will likely be supported by a town manager’s working committee consisting of local residents with experience in event management and promotion and equestrian event management.

How would you work to advance the Sewer Line 260 Project? What type of development would you like to see in that area, and town-wide economic development more generally?
If elected mayor, I will continue to advocate for the funding necessary to complete the State Route 260 Sewer Expansion project. Building on my experience as vice mayor, I have already lobbied the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority and U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly’s [D-Arizona] office to secure the grants and low-to-no-interest loans essential for this initiative.

My vision for our town includes encouraging commercial retail development along West State Route 260 to increase sales tax revenue and revitalizing Main Street to create a vibrant destination for both residents and tourists. Simultaneously, I am committed to protecting existing neighborhoods from commercial encroachment to preserve our open, rural character. The 2026 General Plan, which outlines our future growth and development, will be on the Tuesday, July 21, ballot. If elected, I will use this plan as my primary guide for all future development decisions.

What specific role do you see for the town with regards to river stewardship?
The Lower Verde Valley portion of the Verde River, where Camp Verde is located scored a B- health grade this year. While the town does not have jurisdiction over the Verde River or private wells, I remain committed to its preservation. The town can continue to assist the Friends of the Verde River with water testing and support their efforts to protect water quality by educating residents and visitors on responsible stewardship. Additionally, the town will soon consider a new water ordinance for users of our water utility. This ordinance is designed to encourage water conservation and limit high-capacity water users from locating within the town.

Gary Thompson

• Length of time in Camp Verde: Lived in Camp Verde his entire life, with the exception of college years spent in Nevada.
• Professional/personal background: Political newcomer Gary Thompson is a business owner of 38 years and a volunteer. His grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren have called Camp Verde home. He said he is “an honest small-town, common-sense, plain-speaking man” with “no interest in a career in politics other than to serve the community I love and make it a better place to live.” He was chairman of the Camp Verde Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Camp Verde Parks & Recreation Board, a leader in his church, motorcycle enthusiast group and an MC for town parades and town events.

What makes you qualified to be Camp Verde mayor?
I am uniquely qualified as a life-long resident and business person, with a heart to serve people. I opened my first business here in 1988, a video vending company, serving a major restaurant chain state-wide. In 2000, my wife, Susi, and I opened Arizona Central Land & Home Real Estate, providing residential, commercial and land sales. This experience has provided a sound knowledge of zoning laws, building requirements, property and water rights and how the town operates. I am the only candidate for mayor with business experience, and I’ve watched the direction of this town over the past few years and think I can do better. I will provide a common-sense, transparent approach to leading it, putting hard-working people’s interests ahead of land developers and political parties.

The Camp Verde Equestrian Center has had ongoing management instability and the Town of Camp Verde is seeking a new operator of the facility. What criteria matter most to you when evaluating any future operator?
I was the Parks & Recreation chairman when we started the Camp Verde Regional Park, which at the time, included equestrian facilities. It has developed into what is now the current Camp Verde Sports Complex and Equestrian Center, so it has a special place in my heart. I want to see it open, as it is important to our equestrian folks and provides quality of life events for our whole community. I was not privy to the information that led the current council to end the agreement with the association.

That was done in closed meetings and has led to distrust and speculation. Who manages it next must be decided openly, and should be based on experience, financial stability and how they will most benefit the town, keeping our rural lifestyle in mind.

How would you work to advance the Sewer Line 260 Project? What type of development would you like to see in that area, and town-wide economic development more generally?
Because our town relies on sales tax, we must expand our business base. In order to do so, the town must secure an additional $600,000 to its existing sewer line loan. This is the only way to extend business west on State Route 260. I’d like to see a grocery store located there, as well as full-service restaurants and retail.

We need to consider allowing a cannabis dispensary. It’s not my thing and I recognize we aren’t all in agreement, but our adult residents are purchasing in nearby towns, thus providing them with the large tax revenues. It’s a significant amount of money that could be used for quality-of-life programs here.

A fact many might not know is that RV park residents make up nearly 25% of our population and take up a lot of town resources, yet we receive very little revenue from their presence. We must fix that. Our Main Street is a charming area, and I think we can do a lot more to brand it and promote it for tourism. I understand business and the vital financial resources it provides, as sales tax is our only steady revenue source.

I am opposed to data centers or any development that harms our natural resources, burdens our infrastructure and detracts from our beauty. We must encourage smart growth that also maintains our small-town way of life and provides quality jobs for our residents.

What specific role do you see for the town with regards to river stewardship?
The Verde River is our life blood. The Friends of the Verde River do amazing work with habitat restoration, invasive species eradication and cleanup activities. Their work is vital. As a town, we must work with all interested parties to improve the health of the river, through partnerships that encourage conservation, smart storm water and irrigation practices, on-river recreation and keeping our treasured waters clean.