Recall organizers open office, set ambitious signature goal
A conservative volunteer group has opened an office in Scottsdale to press a recall against City Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas, the highest vote-getter in the last municipal election. The drive, led by Scottsdale resident Dan Ishac and organized under the name Conservatives of Greater Scottsdale, aims to collect signatures from registered city voters ahead of a September deadline.
Organizers say the recall stems from concerns about decisions made by the current four-member council majority. They point specifically to votes they say amount to misusing taxpayer funds for a proposed Old Town parking garage and the council’s action to eliminate the city’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The group has launched a website, recalljan.com, and told reporters it will aim for more than the minimum number of signatures required.
"Scottsdale is a beautiful, vibrant city with world-class services, amenities, low taxes, and a thriving economy. And we want to keep it that way,"
The quote above is from Ishac as reported to local media. He told ABC15 the group needs nearly 13,000 valid signatures from Scottsdale registered voters but plans to collect up to 15,000 to ensure enough valid petitions. The drive faces a filing deadline of Sept. 2.
What would happen if petitioners succeed
If organizers gather the required number of valid signatures within the time allowed, state election rules would likely lead to a recall election next spring, with media reports indicating the vote would most likely occur in March or May of next year. Councilwoman Dubauskas declined an on-camera interview but issued a statement defending her record, saying voters elected her because she would "deliver for them" and that she has kept campaign promises around limiting over-development and focusing on public safety.
- Organizer: Conservatives of Greater Scottsdale (lead: Dan Ishac)
- Target signatures: nearly 13,000 required; aiming for 15,000
- Deadline to submit petitions: Sept. 2
Local context and stakes
Recalls of local officials are rare but consequential. For Scottsdale residents, the campaign crystallizes broader debates over growth, preservation of neighborhood character in Old Town, public spending priorities and municipal programs that have become politically polarizing statewide. The recall effort arrives amid heightened civic engagement across Arizona on issues from land use to public safety, meaning this could draw attention and resources from outside Scottsdale as the campaign progresses.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Required valid signatures | ~13,000 |
| Organizer's collection goal | 15,000 |
| Submission deadline | Sept. 2 |
For residents watching City Hall, the next six to eight weeks will determine whether this recall becomes a citywide ballot fight or a largely symbolic protest. If petitioners meet the threshold, voters in Scottsdale may be asked next spring to decide whether to remove an elected council member whose votes and priorities already have sparked debate.
News Block will follow developments as petition drives, validity checks and potential election scheduling unfold and will report on how this effort may reshape council dynamics in Scottsdale.
