We heard a little rumor the other day that Wes Gullett, a deputy campaign manager for Senator John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign and a long-time operative within Arizona's GOP, planned on running for mayor of Phoenix.
Today, Gullett confirmed the rumor -- sort of.
Gullett tells New Times he's strongly considering a run but hasn't filed the necessary paperwork with the City Clerk's Office yet.
"We need leadership in the community," Gullett says. "We're at a
crossroads and I want to help get the economy going again. The city
plays a big role in that."
Gullett, a Republican, says he would welcome Mayor Phil Gordon's -- as well as everyone's -- support for his campaign.
As well as helping to run McCain's presidential campaign, Gullett is a
former aide to Governor Fife Symington and is amongst the who's-who of
Arizona's Republican Party.
Gullett is a founding partner in the public relations firm Firststrategic, Communications and Public Affairs.
Gullett isn't the only one who's eying the mayor's office -- several
members of the Phoenix City Council, including Claude Mattox and Peggy
Neely, have started exploratory committees, and Councilman Michael
Johnson has said he hasn't ruled out a run.