Cathey Rusing
for Prescott Mayor
⭐ Commitment ⭐ Community
⭐ Common Sense
Hello, I am Cathey Rusing.
I served as a Member of your City Council, from November 2019 until April 2nd, 2025, when I resigned to become a CANDIDATE FOR PRESCOTT MAYOR. The City's Primary Election is on August 5th, 2025.
I INVITE YOU TO:
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Watch my video(s), in the "CAMPAIGN NEWS" section below.
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Learn why I am the best choice, in the section just above the footer of this page.
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Read about my background, vision. and commitments to you, on the "ABOUT CATHEY" page.
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Learn about my achievements on City Council and my priorities going forward, on the "ACHIEVEMENTS & PRIORITIES" page.
WHAT YOU COULD DO TO HELP
First, a big "thank you" to all of you who signed my Nominating Petitions. I collected 1009 signatures and am now officially on the ballot for Mayor in the August 5th Primary Election.
Now my campaign is in full swing and I need your help. I've been a full-time Council Member, and I'll be a full-time Mayor, with new challenges and opportunities to serve you, the people of Prescott. I've been your watchdog and voice on the Council, on the issues that you've shown are important to you.
Please tell your family, friends, and neighbors about me, and let them know that I'm running to protect the things that make Prescott special.
Post your support for me, and the reasons for it, on social media, and refer to this website.
Schedule a 'meet & greet' for your family, friends, and neighbors to meet me. Contact me at CatheyRusing@gmail.com.
Consider making a donation to help me get the word out with advertising material and through various media. You can donate securely online by clicking on the "Donate" button at the top of every page. If you'd rather donate by check, contact me at CatheyRusing@gmail.com for the mailing address.
Post one of my campaign signs, available now, at your home or business office. Call Tom Rusing at 928.713.3736, or contact me at CatheyRusing@gmail.com.
CAMPAIGN NEWS
Cathey will protect the things
that make Prescott SPECIAL!
Cathey's Resignation
as Prescott City Council
Member, to Become a
Candidate for Prescott Mayor
When I submitted my Nominating Petitions on April 2nd, I officially became a candidate for Mayor of Prescott and will be on the August Ballot.
It was a bittersweet moment. Arizona is a “resign to run” state, and I had more than a year left of my second term as your City Council Member, so I had to resign from that position when my petitions were submitted. My resignation was effective immediately.
I am grateful to the community, our Mayor and Council, and City staff, for the opportunity to serve as your Council Member for the last 6 years.
The Council accepted applications from citizens interested in replacing me for the balance of my elected term. They then selected three finalists, interviewed those finalists in a Council Meeting, and selected Patrick Grady to be my replacement. Patrick has been sworn in, and we again have a full City Council.
Thank you.
Cathey Rusing, Candidate for Mayor
Cathey will work for well planned and well managed growth, that
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preserves Prescott's values, heritage and natural beauty,
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protects our water, wildlife, and open spaces,
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avoids mass grading, destruction of hillsides & hilltops, and urban sprawl & overdevelopment.
WHY IS CATHEY THE BEST CHOICE?
1. Full Time Mayor
Prescott needs and deserves a full time Mayor, not a part time Mayor. My opponent says that’s not needed. I disagree. Mayoral duties extend beyond even the usual 9-5 job. I carefully study the council packets and listen and participate in staff presentations. But then I do my own research, visit the sites, and talk to neighbors and concerned citizens. There are many important events and meetings that take place on weekends, holidays, and after hours. It is vital that Prescott is represented. Doing the best job for the people of Prescott takes time and a strong commitment.
2. Airport Protection
II’m a strong supporter of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, the Airport, and the Airport Overlay District. The airport is a key economic driver. I know the importance of protecting the airport's FAA funding and protecting the crash zones from incompatible development, such as schools, day care centers, churches, and homes, which put our citizens at risk. I was Council Liaison to the Airport Advisory Committee.
3. Economic Development
I support Economic Development, but NOT "at any cost". It must respect our values, protect our water and environment, and provide good jobs for young working families. And it must benefit the community. I support our many small businesses and shopping locally.
4. Fiscally Responsible
I will prioritize spending on projects that benefit the community and that the members of the community support. I will stand up and challenge proposed expensive projects that primarily benefit the developer rather than the community. I am a fiscal conservative. I have been your watchdog on Council and will continue to be your advocate as Mayor.
5. Endorsed for Mayor by Save the Dells
I support the greater mission of Save the Dells, a nonpartisan, local, grassroots organization. Protecting our open spaces and natural beauty as well as our water is very important. Save the Dells endorsed me in my first two elections and I am honored that they have endorsed me for Mayor of Prescott.
6. Protecting the Quality and Quantity of Our Water
Water is one of my highest priorities. I’m a member of the science- based Citizens Water Advocacy Group. Its mission is protecting the quality and quantity of our water and the flow of the Upper Verde River. Along with Mayor Goode, I helped craft the new water management policy and I support completion of our Long-Term Water Management Plan. I chaired the important Water Issues Subcommittee. At my last meeting, I was able to add protection of the quality of our water supply from contamination by industry. In a City Council meeting, my opponent made a motion and voted to eliminate a citizen water advisory committee designed to monitor and improve our new city water policy’s effectiveness. The draft of the new General Plan’s land use map and water service area includes a new major growth corridor extending 12 sq miles out Williamson Valley. This will significantly increase growth, urban sprawl and water demand. I am strongly opposed to it. My opponent stated that he could go either way. Is that the leadership you want on critical issues?
7. Fiduciary Responsibility
I believe in putting the best interests of you, the people of Prescott, first. That is why I have never taken campaign contributions from developers, because it could be viewed as a conflict of interest or a compromise of my impartiality. I am not backed by "big money".
8. My Respect for the Rule of Law
Confidential HR internal investigations were stolen and leaked to the public and news outlets in violation of State and Federal law. The Mayor and 5 of 6 Council Members, including me, signed sworn affidavits that we were not the source of the leak, and we passed polygraph tests. I paid for the polygraph test out of my own pocket ($400). My opponent declined to sign the affidavit and refused to take the polygraph test (April 12, 2024, City of Prescott website).
9. My Opponent's Record of Complaints
My opponent has stated, that as Mayor, he will promote congeniality on council, but he did the opposite. He filed complaints with the State Attorney General's Office (AG) against Mayor Goode, Mayor Pro Tem Cantelme, and myself. We were all exonerated by the AG (February 21, 2025, City of Prescott website). However, the result was a very negative work environment.