LinkedIn

Marc is originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas. He earned a bachelor's degree in business and a master's degree in education from the University of Arkansas. Marc lives in Dobson Ranch and has 3 children.

Marc is currently a hub supervisor for United Parcel Service (UPS). He has previously worked as a mortgage broker and a high school teacher.

Marc Lavender previously ran for Mesa City Council Member for District 3 in 2018, but did not win.

As of June 20, 2024, Marc Lavender’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Candidate website

Opposes high-density housing and light rail expansion, advocating for single-family residential zoning to support home ownership.

Opposes high-density housing, instead advocating for single-family residential zoning to support home ownership.

- Opposes high-density housing, instead advocating for single-family residential zoning to support home ownership.

Housing & Urban Development

Opposes light rail expansion, citing high costs and significant traffic restrictions for Mesa residents.

Believes expanding light rail and adding streetcars will require significant subsidies and cause prolonged construction disruptions. Said, "we currently spend about $25 million per year to subsidize" light rail and the streetcar project will cost over $100 million.

Opposes costly public transit projects, citing a $300 million streetcar plan and light rail extension. Believes these projects result in "permanently losing miles of travel lanes (Road Diets)."

Opposes "the advancement of any projects related to light rail expansion or adding permanent track for streetcars."

Opposes purchasing electric city vehicles due to concerns about cost and durability.

Opposes the city purchasing electric vehicles due to concerns about cost and durability.

Opposes road construction projects that limit traffic lanes.

Believes voters should decide on infrastructure projects exceeding $5 million. Plans to "stop the advancement of any projects NOT related to infrastructure" without voter approval.

Believes voters should decide on infrastructure projects exceeding $5 million. 

- Opposes light rail expansion, citing high costs and significant traffic restrictions for Mesa residents.
- Opposes the city purchasing electric vehicles due to concerns about cost and durability.
- Opposes road construction projects that limit traffic lanes.
- Believes voters should decide on infrastructure projects exceeding $5 million. 

Transportation & Infrastructure

Believes the Mesa Police Department needs a better compensation package to attract and retain top talent. Said, "Our police officers are tired, over-worked, and underpaid—They deserve better!"

Believes the Mesa Police Department needs a better compensation package to attract and retain top talent plans to meet with Mesa Police Department leadership to develop a strategy for hiring more police officers.

The candidate's website says, "Institute an immediate hiring freeze for all positions except those related to public safety."

Plans to institute "an immediate hiring freeze for all positions except those related to public safety" if elected.

Plans to meet with Mesa Police Department leadership to develop a strategy for hiring more police officers.

- Believes the Mesa Police Department needs a better compensation package to attract and retain top talent plans to meet with Mesa Police Department leadership to develop a strategy for hiring more police officers.
- Plans to institute "an immediate hiring freeze for all positions except those related to public safety" if elected.

Public Safety

Education

Believes Mesa's government is inefficient and overly reliant on taxpayer money, leading to higher living costs compared to neighboring cities. Criticizes the municipal budget growth and its impact on residents.

Believes Mesa's government is inefficient and overly reliant on taxpayer money, leading to higher living costs compared to neighboring cities.

- Believes Mesa's government is inefficient and overly reliant on taxpayer money, leading to higher living costs compared to neighboring cities.

Economy

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Marc Lavender

Marc Lavender is originally from Fayetteville, Arkansas, and has been a resident of Mesa, Arizona for over 20 years, living in the Dobson Ranch community for 19 of those years. He is a father to three children who were educated in Mesa Public Schools. Marc holds a Bachelor's degree in Business and a Master's degree in Education from the University of Arkansas.

Marc Lavender has experience teaching high school for five years and has worked in educational sales for over 12 years. He has also been in the mortgage industry for nearly five years.

Marc Lavender has served as a Precinct Committeeman and Precinct Captain for Dobson Ranch, as well as a State Committeeman representing his district at the state level. He has experience submitting legislation to the State Legislature for consideration. He ran for a city council position in 2018.

Believes in reducing travel lanes to accommodate wider medians, bike lanes, sidewalks, and public transit. Supports urban planning initiatives like "Road Diets" to improve infrastructure and public transit.

Believes public transit, specifically light rail, is ineffective, calling it the "Homeless Express."

Believes Mesa's utility rates are too high due to city spending and supports a multi-year freeze on rates. Said, "Utility rates are, in essence, a regressive tax" impacting the poor more than the wealthy.

- City council members work together with the rest of the city officials to set and implement city policies and priorities. 
- The City Council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City council members work with the mayor and the city manager to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city council members in Arizona are elected to four-year terms in staggered years. Elections are nonpartisan.