Ryan Winkle is asking voters to send him back to Mesa City Hall as mayor seven years after the former councilmember was booted from office following a DUI arrest.

Why it matters: Mesa Mayor John Giles is termed out, and Winkle joins a long list of hopefuls who want to lead the Valley's second largest city through an era of growth and development.

Catch up quick: Winkle was arrested by Tempe Police in 2017 — four months after he took office. He was found to have a blood alcohol content 0.22 and served six days in jail. It was his second DUI.

• The Mesa City Council unanimously voted to remove Winkle from office that year for violating the city's code of ethics.

The latest: Winkle formally launched his mayoral campaign last night.

What they're saying: "I don't worry too much about [competitors using the DUI against me] because it's a fact of life. It's something that's made me and made the person that I am," Winkle told Axios Phoenix.

• He said he spent a lot of time in therapy working through his past issues and talks openly about that chapter of his life. He said the community has been overwhelmingly supportive.

Zoom in: Since leaving public office, Winkle said, he's continued his community work through his nonprofit, which works with businesses and neighborhoods in low- to moderate-income census tracts to build upward mobility.

• He's also the chair of the Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Arizona Fair Housing Center.

What's next: The election is shaping up to be a competitive one.

• Seven other people have submitted statements of interest to run for Mesa Mayor on July 30, including former Mayor Scott Smith and current Councilmember Mark Freeman.

Tell a Mesa neighbor

Robin Reed, president and CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona, has died unexpectedly.

The big picture: Valley leaders remembered Reed as an effective leader, inspiring business person and a champion for local businesses after news of his death broke yesterday.

What they're saying: "Robin helped build a thriving, diverse corporate community in Phoenix by lifting up countless entrepreneurs and small business owners. He unquestionably leaves a powerful legacy," Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego posted on X.

Zoom in: Reed launched multiple businesses over his 40-year career and ran a corporate consulting firm and sustainability solutions company at the time of his death, per LinkedIn.

• He took over the Black Chamber in 2016 and transformed it "into an inclusive and forward-thinking community organization," according to the group's website.

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It was another busy week at the Capitol. Here's what your lawmakers were up to.

🗳 House Republicans approved a proposed ballot measure to ban voting centers and force counties to use precinct-based voting.

• Yes, but: Sen. Ken Bennett (R-Prescott) told Axios he'll oppose the measure in the Senate, which means it likely doesn't have enough votes to pass.

🏫 A proposed ballot measure that would've asked voters to bar trans-inclusive policies at schools failed by one vote in the Senate.

• It also would have prohibited teachers from using students' preferred pronouns and names without parental permission.
• A regular bill that would require schools to inform parents if their children ask to use a different pronoun did pass the Senate but is likely to be vetoed if it gets to Gov. Katie Hobbs.

⛪ Religious institutions would be able to fast-track affordable housing development on their property under a "Yes in God's backyard" bill approved by the House yesterday.

💻 The Senate passed two bipartisan bills aimed at combating deepfakes in elections. They now move to the House.

🍄 Psilocybin mushrooms would become legal for mental health treatment under a bill that passed out of the Senate with broad bipartisan support. The bill now goes to the House.

🛫 Don't expect much action in the House next week: Seventeen representatives plan to take a six-day trip to Israel.

• The Senate voted to block the trip under a law requiring adjournment of more than three days to be approved by the other chamber, but Speaker Ben Toma said there's a legal workaround.

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💸 Arizona Board of Regents chair Fred Duval announced last night he will step down amid complaints that the board failed in its oversight role by allowing UofA to fall into financial crisis. The board's executive director, John Arnold, will take a leave of absence. (Arizona Daily Star)

🏢 Taser manufacturer Axon is exploring possible headquarters sites outside Scottsdale, CEO Rick Smith said during an earnings call this week. (Phoenix Business Journal)

🏛 Attorney General Kris Mayes said her office will make an announcement soon regarding the investigation into Arizona's alternate Trump electors from 2020. (KJZZ)

Former Democratic lawmaker Otoniel Navarrete was convicted of sexual conduct with a minor but was found not guilty of molestation of a child. (AZcentral)

Looking for something to do this weekend? We've got you covered.

Melrose Street Fair

Enjoy a day of live music, vendors, local artisans, food trucks, a kids' zone and other entertainment in the heart of the Melrose District.

• Free admission from 11am-5pm tomorrow.

Brick Fest Live

Bring the kids to this touring Lego extravaganza at Mesa's Bell Bank Park, with life-size models and do-it-yourself building fun.

• $25 general admission, 9am-5pm tomorrow and 10am-4pm Sunday.

Tolleson Latin Music Festival

Take in some Latin music, along with food, vendors, a car show, a kids' zone and more.

• Free admission, 1-10pm tomorrow and noon-8pm Sunday.

Downtown Chandler BBQ Festival

Feast on delicious barbecue at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park with some live music, games and drinks from local breweries and distilleries.

• Free admission, 11am-8pm tomorrow and 11am-6pm Sunday.

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