Corporatocracy: Axon Strikes Back (Opinion)
Image Credit: Axon’s President Josh Isner’s X account
Corporatocracy.
n. A system where corporations hold significant power over political, economic, and social systems. In this system, large businesses and their leaders dominate decision-making, often prioritizing profit and corporate interests over public welfare and democratic values.
“This person [Vice-Mayor Jan Dubauskas] loves Scottsdale so much she is trying to usurp Mayor Borowsky Game of Thrones style.” – Axon President Josh Isner
Retrospection.
Axon’s relationship with the City of Scottsdale has been precarious, at best, due to its efforts to construct a 1,900-unit apartment complex in North Scottsdale, which would be the largest in Arizona.
In December 2024, Axon took advantage of a lame-duck Scottsdale City Council to pass their plans, also employing costly lobbyists to persuade 27 Arizona Republican legislators to support SB 1543, legislation that has been specifically designed to prevent Scottsdale from holding a referendum on the 1,900-unit apartment complex — thereby bypassing a vote on the issue.
In a few weeks, Axon is set to break ground on its Multi-Family Residential complex located near Loop 101 and Hayden Road.
Arizonans for a Better Future PAC.
David Leibowitz, a spokesperson for Axon, also serves as the Treasurer for Arizonans for a Better Future political action committee. He stated, “Axon, the company, played no role in the committee’s founding.”
Image Credit: Arizona for a Better Future Facebook
Recently, a new political action committee (PAC) named “Arizonans for a Better Future” surfaced on social media.
Are they connected to Axon? The organization’s website and Facebook page were launched on March 11, 2025, shortly after the PAC was formed.
As per its website:
Strong Communities.
“Arizona thrives when our neighborhoods are safe, our schools are strong, and our families have opportunities to succeed. We support policies that create jobs, improve public safety, and ensure excellent education for future generations.”
This statement highlights the importance of “Create Jobs.” However, does this imply that creating jobs may disenfranchise Scottsdale voters and potentially lead to a situation similar to the Santa Monica Airport in the future?
A Thriving Economy.
“From small businesses to cutting-edge industries, Arizona’s economy fuels our way of life. We advocate for policies that encourage job creation, fair wages, and responsible economic growth that benefits everyone.”
Once again, emphasis on “job creation” at any expense.
Keep Arizona Affordable.
“We believe in a future where hard-working Arizonans can afford to live, work, and raise families without being priced out. Sensible policies on housing, transportation, and taxation are key to ensuring Arizona remains a place of opportunity for all.”
Sensible policies on housing and transportation. Does that mean this organization wants 1,900 more apartment units in Scottsdale, along with mass transit options, including light rail?
Arizonans for a Better Future — Facebook.
Axon is the driving force of this political action committee, and they make no effort to conceal their involvement with Axon.
Why was the Arizonans for a Better Future political action committee created, and what is its purpose?
To recognize Arizona legislators who supported Axon’s agenda, which permitted the construction of a 1,900-unit apartment complex without giving Scottsdale residents the opportunity to vote on the referendum, Axon’s Facebook page congratulated all Arizona legislators—both Democrats and Republicans—who voted in favor of SB 1543.
b. Political revenge against local politicians who voted against Axon’s interests. This organization paid for advertisements on social media attacking Councilmember Barry Graham.
Image Credit: Protect Scottsdale & Scott Dalevoter via Facebook
Axon’s President Josh Isner also got involved in personal attacks against Scottsdale City Councilmember Barry Graham. Scottsdale Edge & Scott Dalevoter discussed it in detail on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FNG4FNMLL
c. To secure political control of Scottsdale and control the narrative with local news/media.
Arizonans for a Better Future is undeniably a political action committee (PAC) connected to Axon.
Scottsdale’s Last Chance.
Currently, Axon’s Headquarters project and 1,900-unit apartment complex are still in the pre-construction phase, with the execution phase a few weeks away.
In May 2025, the Scottsdale City Council voted 5-2 to hire an attorney, Dominic Draye, from the firm Greenberg Traurig, and explore the options to challenge SB1543.
On June 9th, 2025, Josh Isner, Axon’s President, ended negotiations with Scottsdale City Councilmembers, Mayor Lisa Borowsky, and Councilman Adam Kwansman. Josh informed him that they would reduce the number of apartments by 50%, or 950 units.
Mayor Lisa Borowsky received a different message than Councilman Kwasman. Axon assured her that they would cut the number of apartments to 300 by 2025, with an additional 300 by 2030, along with the development of 300 multi-family residential condominiums.
Axon presented an attractive proposal to Mayor Borowsky during initial negotiations two months ago. At a community meeting on August 7, 2025, she announced that they offered to build a multi-purpose performing arts center, similar to the Gammage Memorial Auditorium in Tempe.
In addition, they promised a new Real Time Crime Center, modeled after the center at the Via Linda Police Station in Scottsdale’s District 3.
The new multi-purpose performing arts theater and Real-Time Crime Center in North Scottsdale is projected to cost between $32 million and $50 million, according to Grok/xAI.
Mayor Borowsky also stated she thought the lawsuit against Axon was a waste of time.
Axon needs approval from 4 out of the 7 Scottsdale City Council members to halt the lawsuit against SB 1543. This represents the last significant hurdle Axon must clear to construct the proposed 1,900-unit apartment complex.
Majority Support.
Which members of the Scottsdale City Council will support Axon?
Mayor Lisa Borowsky (Likely)
Mayor Borowsky initially was against Axon’s actions to silence Scottsdale voters, saying, “The bill [SB 1543] is very detrimental to Scottsdale…” Her stance on Axon softened after she met with Axon representatives in June.
Josh Isner, the President of Axon, has recently defended Mayor Lisa Borowsky on X and has retweeted her posts. Mayor Borowsky believes that the lawsuit is a waste of money, and Axon promised to build an arts theater like the Gammage Theater in Tempe, as well as a new Real-Time Crime Center.
Vice-Mayor Jan Dubauskas (No)
She voted in favor of exploring the option of suing Axon and has been the target of Axon’s President, Josh Isner, on social media. She also publicly did not support SB 1543 and testified at the Arizona Legislature in March 2025 “against 1,900 unwanted apartments in Scottsdale.”
Councilman Adam Kwasman (Possibly)
He initially criticized the approach Axon took to pass SB 1543. He has posted multiple times on X, expressing his willingness to negotiate with them, although these attempts have been unsuccessful.
Although Councilman Kwasman voted to hire an attorney to investigate suing Axon regarding its apartment.
On June 9th, 2025, Axon decided to negotiate with Councilman Kwasman and offered a 50% reduction in apartments from 1,900 to 950. Axon’s President Josh Isner rolled out the red carpet for him. Adam made this statement on X the same day — “I now consider Josh a friend. I am saddened that my colleagues could not share in a vision that would have reduced approved density, reduced approved apartments, funded police, and built an incredible partnership between the city and one of America’s best companies.”
Photo Credit: Axon President Josh Isner’s X account
Councilwoman Maryann McAllen (Yes)
During a Scottsdale City Council meeting in May 2025, McAllen stated, “Throwing away more money is not the answer,” while discussing the proposed allocation of $100,000 in legal fees to challenge SB 1543, a move she opposed.
Councilman Barry Graham (No)
He voted against Axon’s proposal to build an apartment complex in December 2024 and voted to hire an attorney to explore legal options for stopping the development. Additionally, he has become a target of Josh Isner and Axon’s political action committee, Arizonans for a Better Future.
Councilwoman Kathy Littlefield (No)
She voted to hire a lawyer to possibly sue Axon, and her husband, former Scottsdale City Councilman Bob Littlefield, created the political action committee TAAZE to fight against Axon’s unwanted apartment complex, and was the primary factor gathering signatures for the referendum. There is little to no chance that Kathy would side with Axon.
Councilwoman Solange Whitehead (Yes)
In December 2024, she voted in favor of Axon’s 1,900-unit apartment complex and opposed hiring a lawyer to potentially sue Axon. She has made multiple statements supporting its expansion in Scottsdale.
Final Thoughts.
Axon needs the support of four Scottsdale City Council members to stop the lawsuit against SB 1543. If Mayor Lisa Borowsky offers her backing, the key vote would come from Councilman Adam Kwasman.
Corporatocracy has almost taken over Scottsdale.
This year, Axon is achieving record-breaking profits, and its CEO, Rick Smith, earned $165 million in 2024, making him the highest-paid CEO in the United States.
Stone, O. 1987. Wall Street (film). Twentieth Century Fox.
Gordon Gekko, portrayed by Michael Douglas, famously declared, “Greed is good” in the film Wall Street.
Why is Axon constructing a 1,900-unit apartment complex despite being highly profitable and ignoring the concerns of Scottsdale voters?
Did Josh Isner call the Scottsdale City Council “toxic” on June 9th, 2025, because Axon didn’t have majority control?
Why did Axon offer Mayor Lisa Borowsky and Councilman Kwasman different deals? Was one offer sincere and one was not?
Is an “outside influence” behind the feuds within the Scottsdale City Council?
Will the name for the new multi-purpose arts theatre at the Axon Campus be “Smith-Isner Zeus Juice Theatre?”
Thoughts? Errors or omissions? K. Brett Boswell can be reached by email at theBoz46@Page38News.com
K. Brett Boswell, MBA
K. Brett Boswell is an investigative journalist & C.E.O. for Page 38 News
www.Page38News.com
Email: theBoz46@Page38News.com
X: @theBoz46
LinkedIn: K. Brett Boswell/Page 38 News
Moptu: Page 38 News
Facebook: Brett Boswell/Page 38 News