Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego to lead Democratic Mayors Association for next 2 years

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego was elected president of the Democratic Mayors Association on Thursday, a national distinction that will broaden her influence to promote liberal ideals in cities across America.

The two-year term means Gallego will establish an agenda that guides how more than 500 U.S. mayors lead their cities and attempt to resolve some of the nation's most pressing problems. The position also means she'll lead the effort to get more Democratic mayors elected.

"We must work together to solve the most impactful issues our residents face — from public safety and the affordable housing crisis, to sustainability and more," Gallego said. " I’m determined to grow our national presence as President of DMA and committed to show voters across the nation that Democratic mayors are highly effective in delivering for cities."

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The position could springboard the Phoenix mayor's future political aspirations.

The Democratic Mayors Association's last president, Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond, is currently running for governor. Former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, also a former association president, is now the U.S. Ambassador to India.

Heaps of praise flowed in for Gallego after the announcement, including from Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, Deputy Attorney General of Arizona Dan Barr and Emily's List, an organization dedicated to electing female leaders.

The win for Gallego, who is expected to seek re-election to the mayor's office in 2024, comes as Phoenix struggles through an affordable housing and homelessness crisis, extreme heat challenges and a lengthy U.S. Justice Department investigation into the Phoenix police for potential constitutional rights violations.

At the same time, Gallego is fiercely trying to position Phoenix as a futuristic, resilient and economically prosperous city. Gallego played a critical role in enticing TSMC, the Taiwan semiconductor company, to locate in north Phoenix.

The win meant a $40 billion investment in the city and was touted by President Joe Biden as he seeks to bring back advanced manufacturing to the U.S.

Taylor Seely covers Phoenix for The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com. Reach her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com or by phone at 480-476-6116.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix mayor picked as president of Democratic Mayors Association