The Clarkdale City Council candidate forum scheduled for July 8 was canceled after one of the candidates, Linsey Branam, withdrew from the race.
The forum, which was planned by the League of Women Voters Northern Arizona and Yavapai Broadcasting, was canceled because the remaining two candidates are now uncontested for two open seats, according to an email from Robin Low, a director at the LWVNA.
Branham did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The remaining candidates include Laura Jones, a Realtor and planning commission member, and current Councilwoman Alicia “Lisa” O’Neill, who was elected in 2020.
O’Neill has lived in Clarkdale since the 1980s and served with the Economic Development Committee during that time.
Later, she managed an environmental remediation and construction company, and also worked for the Verde Canyon Railroad, where she was “encouraged to work for the Clarkdale General Plan Committee,” according to her staff bio on the city’s website.
Additionally, she worked with the Clarkdale Chamber of Commerce.
Unlike her fellow candidate Jones, O’Neill is “opting out of political signs,” according to a recent social media post; although it would appear that one of her supporters crafted a handmade sign in her honor.
O’Neill shared a picture of the sign on social media, stating “My name will appear on the ballot as Alicia ‘Lisa’ O’Neill, just like this beautiful sign.”
Jones, on the other hand, has taken a more traditional approach to campaigning, and is offering to deliver yard signs to her supporters on social media.
Also included on her social media [Facebook] page are several posts, which detail her history in Clarkdale as well as her vision for the town.
“Since 2014, I have served as a volunteer on a Clarkdale town board or commission giving my time to the community while gaining an understanding of local governance,” she said. “In these roles, I have had the opportunity to participate in policy review, planning and decision making. It has given me solid understanding of the town’s board and commissions, decision making processes and community concerns, making me ready to contribute as a Town Council member.”
Some of the roles she refers to include serving as a Planning Commission member since 2019, and Design Review Board member from 2014-19.
Her campaign slogan is “Embracing Clarkdale’s History while Planning for its Future.”
Voting Information
The primary election will be held on August 2, 2022. The registration deadline for voting in the primary election was July 5, 2022.
Because the candidates are uncontested, there will most likely not be a need for them to continue to the November 8 general election, pending they receive enough votes in the primary.
If they are elected in August, they will not be sworn into office until after the general election.
Once elected, council members serve a four-year term.
For information about early voting, vote-by-mail and in-person voting locations, visit Yavapai County Elections and Voter registration at yavapaivotes.gov or call (928) 771-3248.
