Beth Goulden won the election outright in the primary. Won a seat outright in the July 21, 2026 Gilbert Town Council primary, finishing first of seven candidates with 17.4% of the vote (24,560 votes).
Source: gilbertcouncil.com · Last verified: October 23, 2026
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Biography
Beth Goulden is an Arizona native, Arizona State University graduate and longtime Gilbert resident who spent 25 years with the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department, much of it supervising sex-crimes cases. After retiring she founded a consulting firm that works on probation matters. She chairs the Arizona Sex Offender Management Board, created by 2024 legislation (SB1630) that her campaign says she championed, and was elected its first chair in October 2025. A first-time candidate, she campaigned on water, public safety, fiscal accountability and growth, calling for a review of town spending, attracting revenue-generating businesses and rebuilding trust between the council and residents. Goulden was the top vote-getter in the July 21, 2026 Gilbert Town Council primary with 24,560 votes (17.4%), winning a seat outright. The four winners are scheduled to be sworn in in January 2027.
Positions
Issue Stances
Water Policy
SupportsCalls for transparent water planning, continued investment in conservation and infrastructure, and growth tied to long-term water availability, and criticized current leadership's communication about rising water bills.
"We need transparent planning, continued investment in conservation and infrastructure, and growth aligned with long-term water availability."
Education Funding
No official stance on record.
Border Security & Immigration
No official stance on record.
Housing Affordability
No official stance on record.
Election Integrity
No official stance on record.
Healthcare Access
No official stance on record.
Public Safety & Criminal Justice
SupportsCiting her 25-year criminal justice career, says she wants Gilbert Police to have the support and resources needed to address crime.
"I want to ensure Gilbert Police have the support and resources they need to keep Gilbert families safe and to address crime in our town."
Energy Policy
No official stance on record.
Economic Development & Jobs
SupportsWants to grow the town's revenue base by attracting high-quality businesses that generate sustainable sales-tax revenue, and says growth and redevelopment should pay for themselves.
"Gilbert must also grow its revenue base strategically by attracting high-quality businesses that generate sustainable sales tax revenue while preserving the community character residents value."
Reproductive Rights
No official stance on record.
Transportation & Infrastructure
No official stance on record.
Government Spending & Taxation
SupportsSays Gilbert cannot keep spending at its current pace and calls for a comprehensive review of spending focused on core services and efficiency before new programs or long-term costs.
"We need a comprehensive review of spending priorities, with a focus on core services, maintaining infrastructure, and improving efficiency before expanding programs or taking on new long-term costs."
Legislature
Legislative Voting Record
No voting record on file.
Voting records are only available for candidates who have held legislative office.
Ballot
Ballot Measure Stances
No ballot measure stances on file yet.
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