I moved to AZ in 1981 from Detroit after being laid off from Pontiac Motors where I worked on the assembly line pulling pistons through motors for a few years. This job plus where I grew up laid the foundation of who I am today.

I ended up going back school and graduated ASU with a degree in Political Science. Law school did not happen, and I ended up getting into a career per my deep passion for sports. I ended up becoming the sales rep for a NY based company and we represented the Phoenix Suns, Fiesta Bowl, Arizona State Athletics, University of Arizona Athletics and the Phoenix Coyotes. At 62 I decided to utilize my social security benefits so I took a job with REI per my love of hiking and the outdoors since I was limited to what I could earn now. After doing this as their hiking shoe expert and Grand Canyon Rim to Rim go to specialist for information, I decided it was time to fulfil my 40-year desire to run for a political office so I could give back to my community.

I ran for council and won my seat in summer, 2024 so I am currently serving my first term on council. My main goals when I ran in 2024 were, #1 Help the team figure out the potential water issues, #2 Jump start the efforts to obtain 4005 acres of state trust land (open space) since I felt it could potentially be re-zoned and developed. The town worked with the state land trust department in 2009 and received a 20 year “pause” where the land would not be put up for public auction. Not only was that agreement between the town and the land trust department almost up, but as the mayor and a councilman both recently stated publicly, “that this effort has been completely dormant for the last 15 years”. I campaigned in 2024 (with the promise) that I would create a stir and get this effort going again. If you read the Sonoran News, letters to the editor, February 19, 2025, you can see that I wrote in about this only 2 months into my term (on council). I have kept my promise since it’s now on the agenda. Now I am all over this to see that it gets accomplished (hopefully first efforts/option through private fundraising and not any type of tax). But it will take all hands-on deck to accomplish this goal. Keep in mind that I am not Big Hat No Cattle!! I back up what I say or I die trying!!!

I have lived in Cave Creek since 2001 with my wife, Linda and 3 dogs. Our son Jacob who recently turned 22 has lived in Cave Creek his entire life and attended Black Mtn Elementary, Sonoran Trails and graduated from Cactus Shadows HS. He is attending Arizona State University and will graduate this May with a degree in business.

I hope you will have the confidence to vote for me on July 21, 2026, so I can finish what I started. I am all about the town, it’s citizens and our businesses.

All In
All Out
Nothing Less

Joe Freedman