Candidate for El Mirage City Council · 2026
On the November 3 runoff ballot.Three seats were on the July 21 ballot. Two were decided. One seat remains — this is it.A veteran's discipline.
A neighbor's commitment.
El Mirage first — every neighborhood, every voice.
The El Mirage City Council officially canvassed the July 21, 2026 Primary Election results and certified that Todd Balash advances to the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot. Resolution adopted August 4, 2026.
Three priorities. Clear commitments. Specific action. These are the issues El Mirage residents have told me matter most — and exactly what I'll act on as your City Council member.
Every taxpayer dollar deserves a return on investment. The FY26–27 budget is up 6.45% — and voters remember the 2024 land purchase that drew significant public concern. No more decisions behind closed doors. Fiscal discipline isn't about saying no — it's about saying yes to the right things, in public, with the receipts.
El Mirage has an ISO rating of 2 — but response times can still cost lives. We need a dedicated Public Service Answering Point (PSAP) to coordinate Police and Fire dispatch more efficiently and cut critical response times for every neighborhood equally.
The 3% water and sewer rate hike is unjustified without full disclosure. A 2024 investigation into Mountain State Plumbing uncovered under-reporting of water usage — a potential Arizona Utilities Code violation. Any officials who knew and failed to report must answer to the public.
U.S. Army · Bosnia · Kosovo · Iraq · Afghanistan
"My time in service to our nation forged a lifelong commitment to defending our country and each other."
Todd E. Balash is a retired U.S. Army Major, a veteran of Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan — 21 years, 9 months of service — and a candidate for El Mirage City Council. His military career shaped an uncompromising belief: leaders are accountable to the people they serve.
El Mirage deserves leadership that champions professionalism, transparency, and sound financial stewardship. Todd is stepping up to ensure our city council operates with the utmost integrity and fiscal discipline, because every resident deserves a council they can be proud of.
Join the Campaign"To all the men and women that have taken the oath, stood in harm's way to stop our enemies, and have endured hardships only Veterans understand — thank you for being part of the 1% of all Americans that chose to serve."
Before a single vote is cast, Todd is already at the table — listening, learning, and working alongside the people he wants to represent.
Todd Balash and Jim McPhetres hosted an open meet and greet for El Mirage residents at the Senior Center. Both candidates walked through their platforms and took questions directly from neighbors — reflecting Todd's commitment to showing up before the vote, not just after.
📍 El Mirage Senior Center · 14010 N El Mirage Rd, El Mirage AZ 85335
Todd attended the open house, meeting El Mirage's guardians firsthand. He learned the department answered ~3,200 calls inside El Mirage in 2025 — an average of 14 every single day — plus 1,400 additional calls in neighboring communities.
Todd attended the Pinning Ceremony hosted by El Mirage Parks & Recreation at the Senior Center. Each veteran was pinned with an American Flag Pin. Todd expressed deep gratitude to Recreation Coordinator Larry Garcia for championing the event.
Todd met Mrs. Josie Alcantar, an El Mirage resident since 1959. "I truly value Josie's perspective," Todd said. "The people that live in El Mirage have earned the right to be heard about how the community grows."
Todd joined El Mirage families at the Car Show and Toy Drive hosted by Mrs. Nancy Perry, gathering toys for children in need. "We hope that everyone in our community has a Christmas full of small miracles."
Every resident deserves a council they can be proud of.
Have a question Todd hasn't answered? Email him directly — he reads every message.
The November 3 runoff will bring more El Mirage voters to the polls than the July primary — and most of them don't know Todd yet. Volunteers are what change that. Every hour you give — knocking doors, making calls, hosting a coffee, putting up a yard sign — reaches a voter who might otherwise never hear Todd's name. No experience required. Training provided.
Every dollar goes directly to reaching El Mirage voters before November 3 — yard signs, mailers to households across the city, and events where Todd can meet voters face to face.
Paid for by Todd Balash for El Mirage. Contributions are not tax deductible. Maximum contribution: $4,100 per individual per election cycle.
Todd reads every message personally. Whether you have a platform question, a community concern, or just want to introduce yourself — your message matters.