Crowded contest, plus mayor and council challenged in 2024 Phoenix City Council races

Phoenix could see a new mayor and three city councilmembers in 2024, but the fiercest competition will be waged over the vacant seat where a new councilmember is guaranteed.

The open District 7 seat represents parts of downtown and the southwest portion of the city in Laveen and Estrella Mountain. Residents in these areas will have two contests to vote in: a special election, in which the elected council member will temporarily serve until April 2025, and a regular election, in which the elected council member will serve a permanent four-year term beginning in mid-April 2025.

The seat is vacant after former Councilmember Yassamin Ansari resigned in March to run for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Congressional District 3. The appointed replacement, Councilman Carlos Galindo-Elvira, is running for the special election but not the permanent one. Galindo-Elvira said he did not want to use his appointment for political gain, and was only running for the special election to ensure continuity of government between him and his successor.

There are four candidates running in District 7's special election and five candidates running in the regular election.

The backstory: How a Phoenix council district could have up to 4 different representatives in 13 months

District 3 in the Moon Valley area and District 5 in Maryvale will also be competitive races. Immigration attorney Ayensa Millan is challenging Debra Stark's re-election in District 3, and retired Phoenix police officer JJ Martinez is trying to unseat Betty Guardado in District 5.

Councilwoman Ann O'Brien in District 1, representing northwest Phoenix, is running unopposed.

The mayoral election and races in District 3, 5 and 7 stand to shape the city for years to come.

The elected winners will guide how the city navigates findings from the U.S. Department of Justice's investigation into Phoenix police.

The Justice Department released a scathing report in June that says the city and its police force routinely violated residents' First, Fourth and 14th Amendment constitutional rights, which protect free speech, prohibit unreasonable searches and seizures and guarantee equal protection under the law.

The elected leaders could play a pivotal role in whether the city agrees to federal oversight through a consent decree or if it fights the findings in court. Either decision is expected to cost the city millions. Plus, City Manager Jeff Barton is expected to hire a permanent police chief within the year.

The races' outcomes will also affect how Phoenix governs policing, public safety, affordable housing, homelessness, economic development, the opioid crisis, extreme heat, sustainability and public transit.

The election is Nov. 5. The last day to register to vote in the election is Oct. 7. Ballots will be mailed Oct. 9. Early voting starts the same day, by mail or in person. City Council races are non-partisan, meaning candidates do not run under a political party.

Candidates could still be knocked off the ballot if they don't have enough valid signatures on their nominating petitions.

Mayoral candidates had to submit 1,500 signatures and council candidates had to submit 200 signatures to the Phoenix City Clerk by July 8 to qualify for the ballot.

The clerk has until July 18 to verify the signatures and inform candidates of their certification to the ballot. Petition signatures can be challenged until July 22.

Who's running for Phoenix mayor?

Kate Gallego: Incumbent Kate Gallego was elected mayor in November 2018 in a special election, then re-elected for a full term in 2020. She was first elected to the City Council in 2013 to represent District 8 in parts of downtown and south Phoenix. Gallego, 42, drew support by campaigning for a more environmentally friendly and urban city with enhanced public transportation. Gallego has touted the construction of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in north Phoenix and the plans for Phoenix's first advanced water purification facility by 2030, which will provide a significant new source of drinking water to cities that are urgently trying to lessen their dependence on the shrinking Colorado River.

Matt Evans: A software engineer who formerly ran for the District 2 City Council seat, unsuccessfully, in 2022. Evans, a Republican, said he's running to bring a new perspective to Phoenix City Council and stop the string of Democratic mayors. Evans, 36, said he was motivated to run out of "frustration" that the city has become so overrun with homelessness that he feels unsafe taking his kids to the grocery store. He emphasized he would represent regular, everyday people and accused Gallego of being beholden to donors and special interests. He said the city's ongoing homelessness crisis is a testament to Gallego's failed leadership. Evans said he wants to bring more transparency to government. He called U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R.-Fla., one of his favorite politicians, noting Gaetz' independence and willingness to break with the status quo.

District 1: Incumbent running unopposed

Ann O'Brien: Incumbent who was first elected to the City Council in November 2020. She is known for her steadfast support of the police and has strongly condemned the prospect of federal oversight of the Phoenix Police Department. During her first term, O'Brien spearheaded the city's Community Court, a court system that offers low-level offenders who are homeless a pathway out of citation if they participate in shelter, substance abuse programming and workforce assistance. O'Brien, 55, also led the charge to expand the city's urban camping ban, which makes encampments in public spaces illegal. She contended it was necessary to safeguard children walking to school and other vulnerable individuals. It takes effect in September. O'Brien said she wants a second term because she loves her community and wants to continue advocating for it.

District 3: Incumbent faces challenger

Debra Stark: Incumbent who was first appointed to the City Council in 2016, then elected in 2017. She previously served as Phoenix's planning and development director and also worked for the City of Peoria and Maricopa County. Stark, 69, said she is devoted to cutting through red tape to help property owners start a business or build their dream home. She touted accomplishments such as helping create the Gated Alley Program, which allows neighborhoods to apply for city funding to install gates on the alleys to combat littering and loitering. On her campaign website, she also says she continues to work with the Paradise Valley mall developer to ensure redevelopment is accomplished and surrounding areas are protected. Stark said ensuring sound infrastructure is particularly important to her, as well as public safety. "I want to make sure our response times do not lag. Phoenix should be accessible for all," she said.

Ayensa Millan: An attorney with experience in immigration, criminal and personal injury law. Millan, 41, said District 3 is ready for change. The area is seeing more young families and young professionals but the infrastructure is aging, and more affordable housing and transitional housing for those exiting homelessness is needed, she said. Millan stressed she would be an "accessible" council member who could reimagine city services, keep up with the changes, and work to bring more amenities to the district. Under her leadership, Millan said the city would incorporate more community input and ensure local workers are paid fair wages. Millan has a endorsements from multiple local labor unions. "Voters want solutions and they want someone who’s going to work across the aisle and with different constituencies. That’s the Democrat I am," Millan said.

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District 5: Incumbent faces challenger

Betty Guardado: Incumbent councilwoman who was first elected in 2019. Guardado is a former union organizer with Unite Here Local 11, the union representing hospitality workers in Phoenix and southern California. She moved to Arizona from California with her husband in 2007 and has two children. Guardado said she's running for re-election to continue her life-long work to improve the quality of life for workers and their families. She points to accomplishments such as Innovation 27, the up-and-coming campus at Northern Avenue and Interstate 17 that will have shelter, workforce training programs, and an affordable housing campus. She also pointed to the regional aquatic center planned for Maryvale Park and the new fire station planned near 47th Avenue and Camelback Road. Guardado, 47, said her main issues in a second term would include economic development and bringing good jobs to the district, diverse transportation options and more parks programming for families. "I think the district is going to look a lot different in the next five years when it comes to security, economic development and how people are moving around in the district," Guardado said.

JJ Martinez: A former Phoenix police officer who was born and raised in Arizona. Martinez patrolled the Maryvale, South Mountain and Estrella Mountain precincts throughout his 26-year career. He retired in 2020 and said he now volunteers and supports first responder-related causes, according to his campaign website. Martinez said he's running for City Council because "I can no longer sit on the sidelines while our community deals with high crime, rising homelessness, the fentanyl epidemic, and a lack of affordable housing."

District 7, regular election permanent term: Crowded race

Martyn Bridgeman: A real-estate agent who was born and raised in Phoenix and has lived in downtown since 2014. Bridgeman, 40, is board chair at Phoenix Center for the Arts and is on the board of THE SEEN, an LGBTQIA non-profit organization. As a councilmember, Bridgeman said he would prioritize accessibility. He is a registered Democrat but wants residents of all political affiliations to feel represented. He cares about community empowerment and safety and said he wants to see more resources put toward hiring officers with mental health backgrounds, plus more training. He is opposed to a consent decree. He believes the council's political shift to the center has been positive for representation, and he plans to continue that moderate and "balanced" approach.

Anna Hernandez: A state senator who formerly worked in the mortgage industry and hotel business. Hernandez became well known for pursuing elected office after her brother was killed by Phoenix police officers. She is passionate about police accountability and advocated for the city's Office of Accountability and Transparency. Hernandez, 42, opposes a consent decree because of the cost and would prefer to see the city work with community groups that have been vocal about problematic policing. Hernandez vehemently rejected notions of being a single-issue candidate. She said her top issues are housing affordability, homelessness and mental health, which she sees as intertwined. The state senator described herself as a "very progressive Democrat" but said she is capable of working in bipartisan fashion. Hernandez said she would hit the ground running, if elected, and that she'll bring a sense of "co-governing with the community" that doesn't currently exist on the City Council. "Through my actions, I can be counted on. I'm always going to show up and deliver," she said.

Emilio Avila Solis: A long-time resident of District 7 who grew up near 91st Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road, and remembers when the intersection didn't have street lights. Avila Solis, 24, is the youngest candidate in the race. He said he would bring energy to the council and push them further left on policy issues such as police reform. Avila Solis supports federal oversight of the Phoenix Police Department through a consent decree, saying it would give the City Council some say in how reform takes place, as opposed to litigation that could result in a court order that is not mutually negotiated. Avila Solis' top issues are affordable housing, homelessness and combatting the water crisis. He stressed the need for a "humane" approach to homelessness. "The way the Phoenix PD are coming in now and harassing the unsheltered is kind of disgraceful," he said.

Marcelino Quinonez: A former educator and state legislator, Quinonez said he wants to join City Council because it provides a more direct opportunity to affect issues he's passionate about, such as housing, education and the arts. Quinonez said he wants the city to work on after school programs for children, lifting up young artists and entrepreneurs, and fostering more trust between residents and Phoenix police officers. Quinonez, 40, said he envisions improving transparency and accountability in the police department by establishing metrics with the city manager, not with federal oversight. Addressing rumors that the mayor had plucked him to build her coalition on City Council, Quinonez said pointed to his decades of engagement in politics and said, "Serving on the City Council is an opportunity to continue my service to people. If people want to create narratives that's fine. When you look at the history, it's been one of service, it's been one of commitment, and it's been one of supporting candidates through the year. That's what I'm committed to: being a good council member who's focused on results and service."

Michael Nowakowski: A former Phoenix City Councilman for 13 years. Nowakowski formerly worked for the Diocese of Phoenix and the Cesar Chavez Foundation. He said he felt compelled to run for City Council again because residents regularly approach him asking for help with city issues. He noted lacking amenities in south Phoenix, such as a hospital, more sit-down restaurants, a movie theatre and shopping. His top issues are homelessness, safe neighborhoods and improving response times for police and fire. Nowakowski, 60, said he would incorporate more community input into resolving problems, and said he believes the homeless crisis would have been handled more compassionately if he had been on the council. He does not believe federal oversight is needed to reform the police department. Nowakowski's tenure included several controversies toward the end. The Attorney General's Office investigated him over a land-deal between the city and his employer. No wrongdoing was found. The LGBTQ community criticized him after a video surfaced showing him talking about his opposition to same-sex marriage and transgender individuals using the restroom of their choice. Residents unsuccessfully tried to recall him. Nowakowski said the land-deal controversy was political and baseless, and that his record shows he's supportive of the LGBTQ community.

District 7, special election temporary term

Emilio Avila Solis: See above.

Martyn Bridgeman: See above.

Carlos Galindo-Elvira: Incumbent councilman who was appointed to the seat in April 2024. Galindo-Elvira said he is running to ensure continuity of governance. The vacancy left by Ansari means District 7 could see four different representatives in a year: Ansari, the appointed replacement, the special election winner who would serve post Nov. 5 election until mid-April, and the regular election winner who would serve a permanent 4-year term starting in mid-April 2025. As councilman, Galindo-Elvira has pledged his paychecks to District 7 non-profit organizations and has stressed the importance of being out in the community, interacting directly with residents.

Michael Nowakowski: See above.

Taylor Seely covers Phoenix for The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com. Reach her at [email protected] or by phone at 480-476-6116.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mayor, council see challengers in 2024 Phoenix City Council races