WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Greg Stanton (D-Ariz) issued the following statement:
“Harry Mitchell was as Tempe as it gets.
Born and raised here, he graduated from Tempe High, attended Arizona State University, and returned to teach American Government at his alma mater for three decades, shaping generations of young minds along the way.
He gave decades of his life to the city he loved, serving on the Tempe City Council, as Mayor, and representing the area in the Arizona Senate. He worked to revitalize downtown Tempe, working hand in hand with ASU and local stakeholders, and played a key role in bringing Tempe Town Lake to life. His fingerprints are on nearly every corner of his hometown.
Running for Congress was the culmination of a lifetime of service. A Blue Dog through and through, Harry frequently reached across the aisle—but he was never afraid to take a hard vote. He lost his seat in Congress after voting for the landmark Affordable Care Act, extending health coverage to tens of thousands of his constituents. But he never regretted it, not for a moment. That was Harry: a public servant who put people before politics, always.
I'm sending my condolences to his children, Mark and Amy, and grandchildren.”