Candidate Name: Mike Allsop

Office Sought: Mayor

Mike Allsop, a seasoned public servant, has officially entered the race for Mayor of Show Low. With over 14 years of dedicated service on the Show Low City Council, Mike brings a wealth of experience to his candidacy. During his tenure, he served as Vice Mayor under Mayor Daryl Seymore, fostering close ties with the Show City staff and council members.

Beyond his City Council role, Mike actively participated in various community organizations and committees. Notably, he spent over a decade on the Meals on Wheels/Senior Citizens Board and contributed to the Show Low Main Street Board. Additionally, Mike provided insights to the Show Low Transit Advisory Committee for over a year and served on the Show Low CIP project committee for more than two years.

Mike’s commitment to public service continued as he devoted 3.5 years to the Show Low P&Z (Planning and Zoning) before being appointed to the City Council. His altruism extended to an eight-year term on the Show Low Volunteer Fire Department Board, following 9.5 years as a dedicated volunteer firefighter and EMT. He retired from the Volunteer Fire Department after achieving the rank of Captain/EMT.

Despite these commitments, Mike pursued personal and professional growth. He earned a degree in Fire Science at NPC (Northland Pioneer College) while spearheading charity softball games that brought firefighters and police officers together to fundraise for essential equipment, including the first set of JAWS OF LIFE for mountain rescues. Simultaneously, he dedicated 43-plus years of service to Contel, the local phone company (now Frontier).

Mike’s dedication to the community is further exemplified by his initiation of the Youth Program on the City Council. This program allows students from Show Low High School Student Council to run an annual City Council Meeting, providing them with valuable insights into local governance and leadership.

Candidate Name: John Leech Jr.

Office Sought: Mayor

John Leech Jr has been a resident of Show Low for 50 years.  He has been married to his wife, Riala, for 36 years and has three children, Shayla, Jim and Joey and five grandchildren.  He is and always has been a very active member of the Show Low and White Mountain communities.  Much of this involvement while raising our children was coaching Little League, AYSO Soccer and board member of the Show Low Little League.

 John is a graduate of Show Low High School, has been with Show Low Fire Department for 20+ years first as a volunteer and ending as safety officer.  He is a member of the White Mountain Sheriff’s Posse and Show Low Elks Lodge #2090.

 John is the current Mayor of Show Low and was elected to the office in 2020.  Prior to this he was a council member approx. 10 years, was on the Show Low Planning and Zoning Commission for 6 years, 1 of those years as Chairman.  He has been involved with the Northern Arizona Council of Government (NACOG) for 14 years, 3 of those most recent years as Chairmen and is currently on the NACOG Executive Committee.  He is also a voting member of the Arizona League of Cities and Towns. 

 John is a conservative Republican and has and will continue to work hard to support Show Low and the surrounding White Mountain area.

Candidate Name: Jon Adams

Office Sought: Councilmember

Jon was born and raised in Show Low. He has deep roots in the White Mountains, going back 4 generations, his family were some of the first settlers in Show Low. Many of those family members have been business owners and active in the community in many ways. Jon loved growing up in a small town. He spent many hours hunting, fishing, and just enjoying the beauty of the outdoors with his family. He loves the freedom and opportunities that come from living in a small rural town. This has been one of his main goals as a city councilman, to maintain the benefits and joys of a small town, while managing the growth that is inevitable.

 After high school Jon attended college in the valley and longed for the opportunity to get back to Show Low. That opportunity came in the form of starting his own business, and he has enjoyed raising his family here for the past 22 years. Jon is very grateful that he has been able to raise his family in the tight knit community he grew up in. Being a small business owner in a small town does come with challenges. But Jon has been able to use his experiences to bring added perspective to the city council and speak for the needs to business owners.

 Jon and his family have been entrenched in the community. His wife is a teacher at Show Low High School. His daughters both graduated from Show Low after being involved in academics, sports, and student government. His sons are currently active in sports at the high school and enjoy the opportunity to take college classes as well.

 Jon’s love of community and specifically Show Low are the reasons he decided to run for city council. Keeping the small town feeling while responsibly managing our growth is very important to him. Knowing the people, the land, and it’s history gives him a unique viewpoint. He is able to represent the concerns, and needs of this community, because he has truly been a part of it his whole life.  Jon is proud of his years so far on the city council because they have been able to work together, put any small differences aside and focus on what is best for Show Low.

Candidate Name: Kenny Allen

Office Sought: Councilmember

Chaplain Kenny Allen traveled and maintained our nuclear and power grid system for over 20 years. Also took the opportunity to serv our military as a convoy commander moving cargo around Iraq. Serving as a Hospice chaplain been a great joy giving back for nearly 26 years, 5 years helping up grading orphanages in the Rosarito, Mexico area unto Covid-19.

Greatest accomplishment 24 years of marriage to a strong godly woman and prayer partner. Presently I am part of the Navajo county sheriff's Auxiliary volunteers. I help with superior court security, delivering food to low mountain and road closures.

Candidate Name: Bryce Judd

Office Sought: Councilmember

My name is Bryce Judd and I have had the honor of serving on the City Council for past 2 years. I have lived in Show Low for 20 years. I love the people of Show Low, the small-town atmosphere, weather and our close proximity to the forest.  I love serving the community, coaching youth sports, hunting, fishing, hiking and watching my kids play sports for the Show Low Cougars.  I am grateful for my wife and 5 kids who inspire me every day. My dad was a farmer and my mom worked for the Post Office.  They taught me to be honest, kind, and respectful.  I am a small business owner and I believe that small businesses are the life blood of our community. I am also deeply grateful to members of our community that have influenced my life in a positive way.  I strive to preserve our small-town values, continue to build economic growth, preserve our heritage, improve our parks / trails / community facilities and work for the common good of the community.  My values are morally and fiscally conservative. 

 Sincerely,

 Bryce Judd

City of Show Low, Council Member

brycejayjudd@gmail.com

Candidate Name: Connie Owens Kakavas

Office Sought: Councilmember

Connie Owens Kakavas is a 5th generation resident of Show Low.   She graduated from Show Low High School, went to NPC and the ASU Executive Leadership Institute.   She has been a Human Resources Professional for over 35 years serving in Leadership roles for local, state and national organizations.   She worked as the HR Director for the City of Show Low for 31+ years and the Chief Human Resources Officer for Summit Healthcare for almost 12 years until she retired in 2023.  She has served on various City Council Committees and currently serves on the Parks and Recreation Committee and the Chairman of the local Public Safety Retirement Board.   Her hobbies include cooking,  water sports, quilting among others.  Her passion is her children and grandchildren as well as the quality of life for them and our citizens.

Candidate Name: Dawn Wilson-Golden

Office Sought: Councilmember

Dawn Wilson-Golden is a wife and mother of one adult son.  She has lived in the White Mountains since 1999 and Show Low since 2001.  Dawn currently serves as a Commissioner on the City of Show Low Planning & Zoning Commission and has previously served as a Councilwoman on the City of Show Low City Council. 

Dawn works for Navajo County as their Criminal Justice Coordinator and Director of the Navajo County Criminal Justice Collaborating Council.  She is also a small business owner and has Wilson Investigative Services, a private investigation agency. 

Dawn has a Master of Science- Administration of Justice and Security/Law Enforcement Organizations and a Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice/Human Services.  She believes leadership is a privilege and that any decisions made by the Council should always be in the best interest of the citizens.  As a City Council member, Dawn will assist in guiding and directing the growth of our city’s future while maintaining the quality of life enjoyed by residents.  She will work to build stronger community relationships, enhance community involvement, and encourage active citizen engagement.  Dawn sends her gratitude to those who supported her and assisted her in becoming a candidate for Show Low City Council.