Thelda Williams was elected vice mayor in a 7-1 vote at Wednesday’s City Council meeting following backlash from the LGBT community against rumors that Michael Nowakowski would be given the position.
Williams, 76, has been on the city council from 1989 to 1996 and rejoined in 2008. She also served as interim mayor in 1994 after then-mayor Paul Johnson’s resignation.
District 7 Councilman Michael Nowakowski was also rumored to be in the running. The possibility of his election stirred up the Phoenix LGBT community. The Arizona Democratic Party LGBT Caucus called for the community to contact council members and attend the Wednesday meeting on their Facebook page.
“It is THE DUTY OF EVERY PHOENIX CITIZEN to OPPOSE THE ELECTION OF THIS KNOWN HOMOPHOBE!” they wrote.
In 2016 he made controversial statements in which he implied he was unhappy with the legalization of gay marriage and worried for his daughter’s safety in public restrooms while addressing evangelical constituents.
Related: Community weighs options for Nowakowski after controversial LGBTQ comments
The last-minute vote was requested by District 7 Councilman Michael Nowakowski and District 6 Councilman Sal DiCiccio. Now-previous Vice Mayor Laura Pastor was not present for the vote, which drew concerns from District 5 Councilman Daniel Valenzuela. He also was concerned the item was not on the regular city council agenda release on Thursday.
“I don’t think that this is a courteous thing to do. I don’t think it’s the kind thing to do,” he said. “I just don’t think we need to add this item at the last moment while she’s in China on city business.”
Valenzuela pushed for a continuation of the vote to the April 4 city council meeting, when Pastor would be present. He stressed that his worries did not reflect a negative view of Williams, citing her 2013 leadership on an anti-discrimination ordinance that expanded protections to LGBT and disabled individuals. He also said he would support her as interim mayor.
Related: Daniel Valenzuela leverages public safety background in race for mayor
Other members of the council were less concerned about her absence. Williams said she had been in communication with Pastor that morning and Pastor was fully aware of the city council’s actions. DiCiccio pointed out the vote, normally held in February was already late.
“It’s already the middle to the end of March,” DiCiccio said. “But I’m gonna support that motion. It’s just the vice mayor position anyways.”
District 8 Councilwoman Kate Gallego, a former vice mayor, had no problems with taking the vote while Pastor was not present.
“The vote to replace was set while I was on maternity leave, which was fine with me,” she said. “My year was up, my time was over, so I was happy to see that happen.”
Nowakowski urged the council to make the term of the vice mayor more clear and predetermined to avoid similar situations in the future. He also noted that when Mayor Greg Stanton stepped down later in the year to run for state, the vote would have to be repeated again.
Valenzuela was the only person to dissent on the vote to grant Williams the position. Despite his vote, Valenzuela was a clear supporter of Williams.
“In terms of the pick, I will tell you Thelda Williams is rock solid,” Valenzuela said. “I think she’s a great leader for our city.”
The LGBT Caucus also approved of Williams’ election, congratulating her on their Facebook page.
“This is a win for the LGBTQ Community of Phoenix,” they wrote.
