Avondale Mayor to Resign, Takes New Role with NASCAR

Avondale Mayor Kenn Weise announced his resignation from the Avondale City Council effective Oct. 13, to transition to a new role with NASCAR.

With his term on the Avondale City Council originally set to expire Dec. 31, 2024, Mayor Weise announced he is stepping down a few weeks early to join NASCAR as Government Affairs Director, where he will manage and nurture relationships in key markets, including Arizona.

In a letter to City employees, Mayor Weise stated: “My intent was to serve out my final term as Mayor, but I also knew that if an amazing career opportunity surfaced, that I may need to alter my plans. That opportunity would need to be one that kept me close to Avondale, one that allowed me to still serve and have a positive impact, and one that would allow me to put my almost 20 years of public service knowledge to good use.”

He added: “Such an opportunity presented itself, and it met all the criteria I was looking for. It would allow me to still be a part of the community I love, it would allow me to have a positive impact on this city, the region, and the state.”

Appointed as Mayor in June 2014 and subsequently elected in 2016, Mayor Weise has served on the Avondale City Council since January 2006 when he was appointed to fill a Council vacancy. He was elected in 2007, and served as Vice Mayor from 2008 to 2010. His leadership extended to regional and national levels, including active participation in the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and the National League of Cities. A member of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional Council since 2014, Weise served as Regional Council Chair during fiscal year 2023. During his tenure, Mayor Weise successfully spearheaded legislation to allow Prop. 479 – which would extend the county’s transportation funding through 2045 – to be placed on the November ballot.

During his tenure, Avondale experienced significant growth, including the development of The BLVD, City Center, and Civic Center. Kenn Weise also played a key role in welcoming the NASCAR Championship Weekend to Avondale for multiple years, enhancing the City’s visibility on a national stage. His commitment to public safety resulted in investments in new facilities and resources, further strengthening the city’s safety infrastructure. Additionally, under his leadership, the City saw tremendous economic growth, with the expansion of parks and facilities, including a state-of-the-art aquatics center.

In his resignation letter, Weise said: “Serving as Mayor of Avondale has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together, and I thank the residents and City staff for their unwavering support.”

Mayor Weise expressed his gratitude to Avondale City employees for the work they do every day. “You are the heart of Avondale, and I am proud and honored to have worked with you for almost two decades.”

The Avondale City Council will hold a special meeting on Oct. 14 to discuss the vacancy process and possibly vote on the appointment of a new Mayor.   Pursuant to the Avondale City Charter, the City Council must fill the Mayor’s vacant seat  within 31 days.