In 2013, then Rep. John Kavanagh sponsored Bill 2157 that proposed changes to the so-called “resign to run” law, which redefined official candidacy to only include the filing of the formal paperwork.

According to Kavanagh, “the original law required candidates for public office to dance around their intentions when they had already been campaigning for a new office. The proposed change allows those running for elective office in Arizona to tell the truth and not have to hide behind a charade of doubletalk. This takes away the need for deception by the potential candidate.” The bill was passed overwhelmingly by the Republican House.

This takes us to the present candidacy of Kavanagh's close associate, Cecil Yates, who has been campaigning for mayor since the Thanksgiving parade, but has not yet filed the necessary paperwork to resign his position on the town council. His recent response to inquiries by this newspaper conflates the “resign to run” statute and the “filling of vacancy” statute. He says that he “believes there is confusion between the two statutes” ( in fact, the two are totally separate). “This law(which law?) does not apply to this situation…as (they) are required to follow the

‘resign to run’ law.”

His response does not at all address why he refuses to resign until May 30, instead of April 30 (or sooner), thus allowing his replacement to be elected; not appointed.

This is a very sad state of affairs. Councilman Yates is taking full advantage of his ally, John Kavagagh’s, law, which ostensibly “takes away the need for deception and not to have to hide behind a charade of doubletalk.”

Ironically, Kavanagh’s statute specifically targeted cases like this, Yates using his present position as a “stepping stone.” Skip the rope-a-dope, councilman Yates; let the voters decide (now and in August.)