Scottsdale: Councilman Barry Graham Accuses Axon PAC of Attacking His Reelection Bid

A Taser Maker's PAC Enters the Scottsdale Council Race

Scottsdale City Councilman Barry Graham is accusing Axon Enterprises, the North Scottsdale-based maker of Tasers, of using political action committees to influence the city's upcoming nonpartisan primary election.

Graham posted on social media last week that "Axon has officially entered the Scottsdale City Council race." He alleged the company wants to destroy his "resident-friendly reputation."

Axon pushed back quickly. Company spokesman David Leibowitz called Graham "hypocritical" and said he "simply makes stuff up."

The PACs Behind the Fight

Two political action committees are at the center of the dispute. Arizonans for a Better Future received $500,000 from Axon Enterprises and another $500,000 from Axon founder and CEO Rick Smith last year. Axon President Josh Isner contributed $100,000 to the same PAC.

The PAC spent $582,000 through the first quarter of this year, according to Transparency USA filings. That money went to:

• $170,000 to Signal Research
• $165,000 to Trailhead Strategic Communications
• $16,000 to Leibowitz

Arizonans for a Better Future ran television ads attacking Graham during the 2025 campaign cycle.

A second PAC called Better Together filed with the state on June 5. The group's website mirrors the messaging of Arizonans for a Better Future. Chris Baker serves as chairman and Leibowitz is listed as treasurer. Both men hold similar positions with Arizonans for a Better Future.

"Axon is not 'officially' or directly involved in the Scottsdale Council races," Leibowitz said. He added that there is "not a single credible poll" showing Graham, Michelle Ugenti-Rita, and Bob Littlefield as frontrunners.

The Development Battle Behind the Politics

The feud traces back to Axon's planned "international campus" in North Scottsdale. The project includes a new corporate office, apartment buildings, and a hotel.

Councilwoman Solange Whitehead supported the original 2024 rezoning for 1,900 units. A memorandum of understanding with the city earlier this year reduced that number to 1,200 apartments. Graham voted against both measures.

"Here's the reality: if Axon's executives can defeat those of us standing in their way, they can simply file another application and push it right back up to 2,500 units or more," Graham alleged.

Graham and Ugenti-Rita also spoke against the Axon plan at the Arizona State Capitol. State lawmakers passed a bill allowing the development to proceed, effectively nullifying a planned voter referendum.

Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions (TAAAZE), led by former Councilman Bob Littlefield, filed lawsuits challenging both the state law and the city-Axon deal. TAAAZE reported $50,374 in income last May, with 95 percent coming from Public Integrity Alliance, a Mesa-based organization that does not disclose its donors.

Leibowitz pointed to Graham's June 9 vote approving a One Scottsdale request for 350 additional housing units as evidence of inconsistency.

"It's no shock Barry Graham would lash out in a hypocritical way. It's how he covers his tracks," Leibowitz said.

Eight Candidates, Three Seats

Scottsdale voters face a crowded primary field. Eight candidates are competing for three City Council seats. The primary election takes place on July 21.

The candidates are:

• Crystal Carroll, an Old Town cafe owner
• Barry Graham, incumbent councilman and accountant
• Ethan Knowlden, former San Francisco attorney and president of the DC Ranch Community Council
• Bob Littlefield, former councilman and leader of TAAAZE
• Eric Sloan, business owner and former Arizona Corporation Commission candidate
• Michelle Ugenti-Rita, former state senator and representative
• Solange Whitehead, incumbent councilwoman running for a third term
• Raoul Zubia, business consultant and 2022 council candidate

How Scottsdale Voters Can Participate

Voters registered as Independent or No Party Preference can vote in the Scottsdale primary. They must choose which ballot they want to receive. Options include a Democrat, Republican, or No Labels Party ballot. Voters can also request a nonpartisan ballot that includes only the Scottsdale City Council contest.

Holly Peralta, a city spokeswoman, said independents who want to vote by mail must request their preferred ballot. That can be done online at BeBallotReady.vote or by calling 602-506-1511.

Early voting begins Wednesday, June 24. All voting locations open on Election Day, Tuesday, July 21, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Chamber Open House Monday

The Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce is hosting a candidate meet and greet on Monday, June 22, at 5 p.m. The event takes place at the Homestead Community Center at DC Ranch, located at 18600 N. 98th Street. Attendance is free but registration is required at scottsdalechamber.com.