Pinal Today

Maricopa City Council member Nancy Smith was chosen as the city's new mayor on Tuesday. 

Smith was selected in a unanimous vote by the City Council, according to InMaricopa.com. She was elected to the Maricopa City Council in 2014. She became the first woman to serve as mayor of Maricopa after being sworn in. 

Interim Mayor Vincent Manfredi returned to his previous post of vice mayor, the role he held prior to then-Mayor Christian Price's resignation.

"I trust her, and I don't trust many people," Manfredi said in the article.

Smith said she does not plan to make radical changes.

"My priorities are the same as the City Council in the past, so definitely transportation, economic development, bringing in new companies, high-paying jobs," she said. "Really, it doesn't change just because I am the mayor, but I do have some new ideas that are part of my 100-day plan that I will bring forward."

Other council members praised Smith for her spirit and ferocity.

"She's tenacious, especially when she wants something from the state and county and federal [level], when we go to D.C. to beg for money," Councilmember Rich Vitiello said. He nominated Smith for the position. "I have to tell you, this is a choice that's well deserved."

Smith agreed that her tenacity has served her well.

"My greatest strength is fighting the hard battles," she said.

Other members of the council expressed similar respect for Smith.

"I have a lot of respect for this lady," Councilmember Bob Marsh said. "Her success in her professional career, her track record in industry, and her track record in local government here – she's a charismatic leader."

Smith moved to Maricopa before it became one of the nation's fastest-growing cities, InMaricopa.com reported. The population is now near 70,000. 

Smith worked in the military technology field for most of her career, according to InMaricopa.com. She was employed by Motorola and worked as a project manager for major government programs as well.

"She's been an incredible mentor to me and a lot of other people up here as well," Councilmember Amber Liermann said.

Other members of the community credited Smith for her empathy.

"She's compassionate," resident Rachel Leffall said. "She makes everyone feel welcome. She takes time to understand the issues. There have been some issues with racial discrimination; I've experienced it. I've been able to talk to Nancy about it and she listened. A lot of times, when you're not a person of color, you don't understand what a person of color experiences. That's strong leadership with compassion and without bias."

The new mayor is the wife of former Mayor Tony Smith.