Resident aims to knock 3 Gilbert candidates off ballot
Apr. 21—A Gilbert resident is looking to knock out three of the candidates running for mayor and council before they even hit the campaign trail.
Michael Webb last week filed legal challenges against mayoral candidate Natalie DiBernardo and council candidates Kenny Buckland and Noah Mundt, alleging they fell short in the number of signatures on their nomination petitions to qualify for the July 30 Primary ballot.
The court is scheduled to hear the case against DiBernardo and Buckland on Monday, April 22, and against Mundt on Tuesday, April 23.
"Thousands of residents signed nomination petitions with the belief that they had the civic responsibility and legal right to determine which candidates' names would be printed on the ballot," DiBernardo said in a released statement.
"My opponents are attempting to disregard those voices by using high-priced lawyers and manipulation of the law," she added. "These kinds of tactics disenfranchise eligible voters and prohibit fair elections from occurring in Gilbert."
The Realtor said that her opponents fear her running for office because she represents Gilbert's demographics.
"They know that my loyalty lies with the people of Gilbert and not their corrupt political system," she continued. "I look forward to running my campaign and serving the people of Gilbert with honesty, integrity, and compassion."
Vice Mayor Scott Anderson and former county prosecutor Shane Krauser also are running for the mayor's job.
The other candidates for the two open council seats are Aaron Accurso, an office manager, and Monte Lyons, an Air Force veteran who is self-employed.
The two challenged council candidates slammed Webb's actions.
"Recent actions challenging the validity of signatures on my nomination are trite and distractionary, diverting attention from our community's real issues," said Mundt, a town Planning Commission member.
"Such maneuvers undermine the integrity of our electoral system and attempt to disenfranchise engaged citizens.
"We categorically reject these tactics and call for a campaign environment that upholds the principles of democracy and respect."
Mundt, in his email, said that the "petty distractions" will not deter his campaign.
"We stand firm, unwavering in our commitment to integrity and dedicated service to the residents of Gilbert," he continued. "We will continue to champion a transparent electoral process, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued," Mundt added.
Buckland, who retired from the Gilbert Police Department as a lieutenant commander, called the challenge "dirty politics."
"I had a significant number of registered voters throughout Gilbert lawfully sign my petitions and I appreciate the overwhelming support from our residents," Buckland said in an email. "This challenge is only meant to waste time and continue dirty politics that Gilbert residents are so very tired of."
