Phoenix City Council race features pursuit of mayor’s seat and 4 municipal districts
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
The stage has been set for the race for Phoenix City Council.
The city of Phoenix is hosting a City Council election Tuesday, Nov. 5 to elect a mayor and four members of City Council representing four municipal legislative districts found part of the city of Phoenix.
Phoenix City Clerk Denise Archibald certified signatures gathered and all appropriate candidate filings Thursday, July 18 at City Hall, 300 W. Washington St., solidifying the 2024 race for Phoenix City Council.
The race for mayor, who serves at-large over the eight municipal districts, features incumbent Mayor Kate Gallego and challenger Matt Evans.
Ms. Gallego is the second woman in Phoenix history to be elected to the station of mayor and is one of the youngest ‘big city’ mayors in the nation. Ms. Gallego graduated from Harvard and holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business.
“Under her leadership, Mayor Kate Gallego has helped attract new residents, businesses, and investments,” he campaign website reads. “She helped land a record $65 billion semiconductor plant that will create high-quality, good-paying jobs for years to come.”
Mr. Evans, who is challenging Ms. Gallego for the station of Phoenix mayor, is a senior software developer and says it is time for a change at Phoenix City Hall.
“I’m tired of the same old politics – the empty promises, the lack of action. And I’m fed up with the way our current mayor claims to be moderate but seems more interested in serving her party than our people,” he said at his campaign website.
“That’s why I’m stepping up to run against her. I refuse to be swayed by big money or partisan agendas. My only allegiance is to you – the hardworking people of Phoenix who deserve a leader who will fight for your interests above all else. I believe in a Phoenix where every family has a place to call home and every child has a chance to thrive. I believe in a city where leadership isn’t about party politics or special interests but about serving the needs of the people who call this place home.”
Of Note: Keep an eye out for weekly questions with candidates for Phoenix City Council at the Digital Free Press.
The race for Phoenix City Council
The city of Phoenix is divided into 8 municipal districts whereas members of Phoenix City Council serve four-year terms. For this election cycle, the elected representatives of these districts are up for grabs:
- District 1
- District 3
- District 5
- District 7
Phoenix City Council last September voted unanimously to accept a wide range of district boundary shifts to bring the eight City Council districts within reasonable bounds of population deviations defined by the local Charter, which serves like a local constitution for the municipality.
The new district boundaries have been in effect since January.
Phoenix Councilwoman Ann O’Brien, who represents District 1 is running unopposed meanwhile Phoenix Councilwoman Deb Stark, who represents District 3, is facing challenger Ayensa Millan this November.
Phoenix Councilwoman Betty Guardado, who represents District 5, is facing challenger JJ Martinez.
Of Note: No idea what district you live in? Go HERE.
Earlier this year, Phoenix Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari vacated her District 7 seat to pursue a seat in United States Congress this November as Phoenix City Council last April appointed Carlos Galindo-Elvira to fill the District 7, which he now occupies but is not seeking election this November, records show.
Those in pursuit of election to the open District 7 seat, in alphabetical order, are:
According to the Phoenix City Clerk’s Office, if no single candidate receives a majority (50% +1) of the votes cast a runoff election will be hosted Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
