As Election Day nears, The Arizona Republic is hosting a candidate forum for Peoria's mayoral candidates on Oct. 21 at Glendale Community College and is inviting voters to participate.
Longtime Councilmember Michael "Mike" Finn and former Peoria police chief Arthur "Art" Miller are seeking the city's top office, which will be vacated by current Mayor Jason Beck.
In addition to the mayoral race, Peoria voters will decide a competitive council race in south Peoria's Pine District. Another race in south Peoria's Acacia District recently turned competitive after a resident filed as a write-in challenge.
Election Day is Nov. 3, and early voting begins Oct. 7.
Here's what to know, how to attend and how to get your questions answered. More details will
be provided as they are confirmed.
Who are the Peoria mayoral candidates?
Two candidates are competing for mayor in the 2026 general election after Beck opted not to run for a second term. They are:
- Michael "Mike" Finn: Finn has been serving on the council for more than 10 years, representing the central region of the city known as the Palo Verde District. He is a top leader for a private equity-backed commercial heating and cooling company. Before he was elected to the council, he was chief financial officer for the Peoria Unified School District, and he also held leadership roles at UPS and US Airways. Beck supports him in the race.
- Arthur "Art" Miller: Miller led the Peoria Police Department for five years before announcing his retirement in 2023. After that, he briefly served as Goodyear's interim police chief. Miller started his career with the Los Angeles Police Department and spent more than 30 years there before leaving in 2013 to become police chief in South Pasadena, California.
Who is moderating the forum?
Taylor Seely, the Republic's First Amendment reporter, will moderate the forum.
She previously covered Phoenix and the West Valley and has led forums and debates across metro Phoenix.
Most recently, Seely moderated a primary election forum in June with Scottsdale City Council candidates.
How do I participate?
The forum will start at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Glendale Community College's Performing Arts Center.
Anyone can attend. No signs or campaign materials will be permitted inside the space.
The college is located at 6000 W Olive Avenue, near 59th and Olive avenues. The performing arts center is located in the northeast area of the college, off 59th and Vogel avenues.
How do I submit a question?
Voters can submit questions ahead of time that could be asked at the forum. Republic staff will screen all questions.
What do you want us to ask? Submit questions for the Peoria mayoral candidate forum.
How do I vote?
The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election is Oct. 5.
Ballots will be sent out Oct. 7 so early voters can mail them in or deliver them to a drop-off location.
Here's where in Peoria you can start voting on Oct. 7.
- Peoria City Hall: 8401 W Monroe Street (drop box only, no in-person voting)
Elena Santa Cruz covers the West Valley cities of Glendale, Surprise and Peoria. Reach her at elena.santacruz@arizonarepublic.com or follow her on X @ecsantacruz3.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Peoria mayoral rivals to square off at forum sponsored by Republic
