Democratic Mayoral Candidate Accused Of Faking Signatures To Qualify For Ballot, Per Lawsuit
By Staff Reporter |
Jamie Aldama, the Democratic Glendale mayoral candidate and former councilman, is now battling a lawsuit accusing his campaign of submitting fraudulent signatures to qualify for the ballot.
The lawsuit filed on Monday by local Republican Party chairman Timothy Schwartz alleged that Aldama submitted at least 670 signatures that were either faked, duplicates, from individuals residing outside of Glendale, or from individuals not registered to vote. The lawsuit further alleged that some voters named on Aldama’s signature sheets reported that they hadn’t signed the sheets.
Aldama submitted nearly 2,400 signatures, more than the nearly 1,900 required to qualify for the ballot. A finding of at least 670 invalid signatures would drop Aldama below the qualifying limit.
Members of the media remarked that the contested signature sheets depicted names spelled in block lettering on lines where a voter’s signature belonged.
Aldama hasn’t issued any public statements addressing the lawsuit or its allegations.
The case is scheduled to go before the Maricopa County Superior Court next Tuesday, with a pretrial hearing scheduled for Friday.
Aldama is vying to oust incumbent Mayor Jerry Weiers, a Republican and the mayor since 2013. The former councilman resigned his seat on April 1, after a decade on the council. That same day, Aldama submitted his nomination for the mayorship.
Longtime resident Leandro Baldenegro took over Aldama’s vacant seat last week; Baldenegro works for the Glendale Elementary School District.
Aldama announced his candidacy last May, and began fundraising and canvassing almost immediately thereafter. In a press conference announcing his run, Aldama emphasized that he would focus on inclusivity if elected.
Aldama also explained that he first ran for office in 2014 because the city council and city hall needed accountability. He said that the leaders, including the mayor, were guilty of “sowing division.” Aldama declared that the mayor’s office needed its public image improved.
Aldama said that his main focus would be on bringing more businesses into the city, and building up the Glendale Chamber of Commerce.
“Unification of our city will be a cornerstone of my candidacy,” said Aldama.
During his time with the council, Aldama focused on issues like securing federal funds for addressing homelessness and housing improvements. The city of Glendale broke ground on its first affordable housing complex last March — over 300 apartments — secured through a state low-income housing tax credit. Those apartments are scheduled to be completed this fall.
As a Democrat, Aldama also supported ideologies such as LGBTQ+ allyship and Pride Month. Aldama serves on the Glendale Chamber of Commerce’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, formed in April 2022. The umbrella entity over the committee, the Diversity Task Force, was formed with the purpose of adopting an LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance. The city passed one in 2021.
Aldama has been present for visits from various Biden administration officials, such as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s Phoenix visit in 2021.
Per his latest campaign finance report filed earlier this week, Aldama has raised over $94,700.
Weiers has raised over $212,100.
The only other contender for the mayor’s seat, Republican lawmaker Paul Boyer, dropped out of the race several weeks ago.
The city of Glendale’s primary election is scheduled for July 30.
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