Phoenix mayoral candidate's car tires slashed

Phoenix mayoral candidate Greg Stanton's car tires were slashed outside a fundraising event Wednesday night.

Stanton was at Nielsen Design Center in Sunnyslope, near Dunlap and Central avenues, an event that was posted on his campaign website.

"Politics is a tough business, but my family is tougher," Stanton said. "I don't know what message whoever did this was trying to send, but I will not be intimidated, my family will not be intimidated. We will continue to fight for the city of Phoenix."

Stanton spokesman Robbie Sherwood said sometime between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., someone leaving a nearby restaurant saw a large young male wearing a hat or a hood slashing the tires of Stanton's gray sedan. The witness yelled at the man "who then jumped into a waiting vehicle driven by another man, and sped off," Sherwood said.

Sherwood said the witness told employees in the restaurant, who then called police. Stanton was unaware anything had happened until he came out of the event and saw his car damaged.

Sherwood said the witness left before taking to police and the campaign is asking that person to come forward and give a statement.

Stanton is running for mayor against Wes Gullett. The runoff election is Nov. 8.