Scott Smith (Arizona politician)

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Scott Smith (born 1956) is an American businessman and Republican politician from Arizona. He grew up in Tucson and moved to Mesa in 1967. He earned a BS in accounting from Brigham Young University in 1980, an MBA in 1985, and a JD from Arizona State University in 1996. Before public office, he worked in finance and business consulting and led homebuilding companies Great Western Homes and K. Hovnanian Homes, and he taught accounting at the University of Phoenix.

Smith was elected the 39th mayor of Mesa, serving from June 2, 2008, until his resignation on April 16, 2014, to run for governor. As mayor, he supported the new METRO light rail, helped pursue a Gaylord Hotel and Resort project in Mesa, backed a Cubs spring training stadium plan (Proposition 420), and launched the iMesa idea initiative to crowdsource ideas from residents. He also served as president of the United States Conference of Mayors from 2013 to 2014, the first Arizona mayor to hold that post.

In 2014 he ran in the Republican primary for governor but finished second to Doug Ducey. He later led Valley Metro, the Phoenix-area transit agency, as CEO from 2016 to 2021. In 2024 he ran again for Mesa mayor but was narrowly defeated in the runoff by Mark Freeman. Smith is married to Kim Smith and has three children, and he is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.