Bill Spence won the election outright in the primary. Won a seat outright in the July 21, 2026 Gilbert Town Council primary, finishing second of seven candidates with 16.1% of the vote (22,732 votes).
Source: elections.maricopa.gov · Last verified: October 23, 2026
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Biography
Bill Spence is a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander and small-business owner who has lived in Gilbert for about 16 years. He served nine months on the Gilbert Town Council in 2020 as an appointee filling the seat vacated by Eddie Cook, then lost bids for a council seat in 2020 and 2022. Before the 2026 race he spoke frequently at council meetings criticizing the town's fiscal policies. His campaign focused on cutting what he called wasteful spending, lowering water and utility bills, opposing new debt without voter approval, stopping more apartments from being built and restoring trust in the town's police and justice system. Spence finished second of seven candidates in the July 21, 2026 Gilbert Town Council primary with 22,732 votes (16.1%), winning a seat outright. The four winners are scheduled to be sworn in in January 2027.
Positions
Issue Stances
Water Policy
SupportsWants overall utility costs lowered, WaterWise conservation criteria mandated for new developments, and the tiered water rate structure revised to draw more from apartments while lowering rates for HOAs and ultra-low water users.
"We can mandate WaterWise water conservation criteria for all new developments and revisit developments and apartments that are grandfathered into old policies."
Education Funding
No official stance on record.
Border Security & Immigration
No official stance on record.
Housing Affordability
SupportsOpposes building more high-density apartments and says the town should zone property to create an affordable pathway to home ownership.
"I believe that the town should zone property to help create an affordable pathway to home ownership."
Election Integrity
No official stance on record.
Healthcare Access
No official stance on record.
Public Safety & Criminal Justice
No official stance on record.
Energy Policy
No official stance on record.
Economic Development & Jobs
No official stance on record.
Reproductive Rights
No official stance on record.
Transportation & Infrastructure
No official stance on record.
Government Spending & Taxation
SupportsArgues the town has taken on too much debt and spending, opposes borrowing without a public vote, and says reducing planned new staff positions would close the budget gap.
"The number of new hires can be reduced, and the budget gap would be eliminated."
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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