Smear Campaign Shows Hypocrisy of Development Backers
The smear campaign by a Scottsdale trio that’s of dubious interest in a Prescott City election attacks candidates Brandon Montoya and Eric Moore, saying they are aligned with Prescott Indivisible. That’s not true.
The two candidates spoke to the group at their request, just as they’ve spoken to many groups. What makes this latest attack on candidates by pro-development forces that have backed the incumbent for mayor from the beginning is that Greg Mengarelli also spoke to the group. Here’s a link to the video.
Greg Mengarelli opened the Prescott Indivisible-sponsored Neighborhood Summit For Equity in 2019, which was a conference discussing the impact of equity on justice issues. Does that make Mengarelli a traitor to his backers because he publicly spoke on an issue to Prescott Indivisible? Because the conference was largely about treating people of color the same in the justice system, is that a black mark on his record?
Here is how Prescott Indivisible responded in a press release:
There are problems here. Their mailer states that Prescott Indivisible is “running” the Montoya and Moore campaigns. That is patently silly and a straight up lie. We advocate for humanitarian values; we do not manage political campaigns. Prescott Indivisible has not endorsed or financially supported ANY candidate in the race for City Council.
Our concern is that not only were we maligned, but dark money has found its way into the Prescott City Council and Mayoral race. Dark Scottsdale money is trying to influence a local nonpartisan Prescott election. And that money comes from developers at a time when uncontrolled growth and future water availability are at issue.
It’s not only a sad commentary on the moneyed forces around Mengarelli’s campaign that they would stoop so low as to smear candidates, they are also smearing a group that is seeking to better the lives of people in the community. The Prescott Indivisible mission is to: “To educate, share and uphold liberty with justice for all with compassion and a dedication to truth.”
The Scottdale group, called “Arizona Residents Council,” could learn a thing or two from them.