09. Coy Payne

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When Coy Payne was elected as mayor of Chandler in 1990, he became the first African American mayor in Arizona history.  Born in Texas, Payne’s family moved to Chandler Heights in 1942, and eventually the Southside neighborhood of Chandler.  Payne spent 30 years working in Chandler schools as a teacher and vice-principle.  To combat racism, Payne decided to run for elected office and ultimately attained Chandler’s highest office.