2022 elections: Here’s who wants to be your next city council member in metro Phoenix
More than 100 candidates are running for mayor and council in 20 cities and towns across metro Phoenix.
The positions carry influence as locally elected leaders determine spending and priorities for police and fire departments, road projects, parks and recreation and efforts to land employers and expand jobs.
City leaders also play a role in crafting and enforcing standards for how land is developed and how water is managed.
In some cities, voters elect council members by geographic district to spread representation throughout the city. Others elect council members at large, or to represent the entire city. No matter the city, the mayor is elected at large.
City-elected leaders serve four-year terms with a few exceptions. Carefree and Cave Creek go with two-year terms for mayor and council. Fountain Hills and Paradise Valley go with two-year terms for mayor and four-year terms for council.
The races could be decided in the Aug. 2 election or go to a Nov. 8 runoff election if candidates don't secure the required number of votes this summer.
Peoria is an outlier in that the city will forgo the August election and only hold a November election since no more than two candidates qualified for the ballot in any of its races.
Click on your city to see who will be on your ballot and check back for updates as we move closer to Election Day.
Avondale | Buckeye | Carefree | Cave Creek | Chandler | El Mirage | Fountain Hills | Gilbert | Glendale | Goodyear | Litchfield Park | Mesa | Paradise Valley | Peoria | Phoenix | Scottsdale | Surprise | Tempe | Tolleson | Youngtown
Avondale
Avondale's election offers no competition as three candidates are running for three open seats on the City Council. There will be one new member as Bryan Kilgore faced term limits and could not run again.
At-large council
Tina Conde, incumbent: She was first appointed to the council in 2017. Conde works as a Realtor.
Curtis Nielson, incumbent: He was first elected in 2017. Nielson previously worked in the copper industry.
Max White: She retired from Bank of America in 2020 after 23 years in the financial services industry. White serves on the city's Board of Adjustments and Neighborhood and Family Commission.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Avondale. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Maritza Dominguez at mcdomingue@gannett.com.
Buckeye
No one challenged the three incumbents up for reelection in Buckeye, the city approaching 100,000 residents southwest of Phoenix.
District 4
Patrick HagEstad, incumbent: First elected in 2018. HagEstad is an attorney and managing partner at HagEstad Law Group.
District 5
Craig Heustis, incumbent: Seeks a fourth term on the council. He worked 25 years at Anheuser-Busch.
District 6
Clay Goodman, incumbent: Appointed to the council in 2020 after Mayor Eric Orsborn resigned to run for mayor. Goodman works as the fossil generation training manager for Arizona Public Service.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Buckeye. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Maritza Dominguez at mcdomingue@gannett.com.
Carefree
Carefree voters will elect a mayor and six council members, who will serve two-year terms. Mayor Les Peterson is not seeking reelection.
Mayor
John Crane: He has lived in Carefree for more than 30 years and was appointed to the Town Council in 2012 and elected in 2013. He serves as vice mayor. Crane has experience on numerous boards and commissions and owns a business working in sales for semiconductor material and equipment suppliers.
Peter Sample: He moved to Carefree in 2015 from California. In all, Sample has lived 17 years in Arizona. He owns Audiosample Inc., which does audio production and equipment rental for television and film, and Carefree Investment Consulting, an investment company.
Council
Sheila Amoroso
Vince D’Aliesio, incumbent: He was first elected to the council in 2018. D’Aliesio has worked as a high school and college football coach and insurance broker.
Tony Geiger, incumbent: He was first elected to the council in 2020. Before retiring, he started and sold two small marketing companies serving the infrastructure market in Arizona.
Glenn Grossman: He owns an insurance agency in Cave Creek.
Stephen Hatcher, incumbent: He has served on the Town Council since at least 2018. He is a mechanical engineer who finished his career at Boeing.
Michael Johnson, incumbent: He was appointed to Town Council last year. He was an accountant and spent most of his 40-year career serving as chief financial officer and controller in technology startups and public companies.
Cheryl Kroyer, incumbent: She was first elected to the Town Council in 2016. Kroyer is retired after working more than 40 years in the advertising industry.
Kathlina Lai
Sven Maric
Gene Orrico: He served on the Town Council from 2015 to 2020. He is retired and volunteers at Kiwanis Club of Carefree, where he has served as president and other roles.
Duke Vukotic: He is an airline pilot and flight instructor. Vukotic serves on the town's SkyRanch Airport Community Relations Committee. This is his first run for office.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Carefree. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Sam Kmack at sam.kmack@arizonarepublic.com.
Cave Creek
Cave Creek voters will pick a mayor and six Town Council members. The town is guaranteed at least one new council member as Paul Diefenderfer resigned Feb. 28. The council was expected to appoint someone on April 18 to serve through December when the top candidate in the August election or November runoff will fill the seat.
Mayor
Bob Morris: He was first elected to the Town Council in 2018. Morris is a chemical engineer.
Eileen Wright: She is a former Town Council member. Wright lost her bids for mayor in 2018 and 2020. She has served on the town’s Planning Commission.
Council
Tom Augherton: He was first elected to the Town Council in 1993 and appointed as mayor in 1996. He was elected mayor in 1997 and served until 1999. More recently, he lost his bid for a seat on the council in 2018. Augherton also served on the town’s Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment in the 1990s.
Ernie Bunch: He has served as mayor since his election in 2016 and served on the Town Council before that, first elected in 2005. He is the president of B. Bunch Co., which manufactures tags, forms and other paper products.
Susan Clancy
Paul Eelkema: He has served on Cave Creek’s Planning Commission since 2019.
Charles (CW) Jensen: He worked 24 years in the Portland Police Bureau. After retiring as captain, he was a TV reporter for KGW in Portland for three years. Jensen has worked in real estate and sold portable police barricade systems and has participated in cop shows and acted in plays and movies. He volunteers with the Cave Creek Tourism Bureau and this is his second run for Town Council.
Katya Kincel: She is retired, but built a career as a process engineer in the semiconductor industry. This is Kincel's first bid for public office.
Anna Marsolo: She worked 40 years as a registered nurse, real estate broker and business owner.
Thomas McGuire, incumbent: He has served 14 years on the Town Council, from 2005 to 2009 and from 2012 until now. In 2009, he tied with challenger Adam Trenk and the winner was decided with a deck of cards. McGuire drew the low card and lost. He is a retired science teacher.
David Smith, incumbent: He was first elected to the Town Council in 2016. Smith has served on the town’s Budget Committee, Water Advisory Committee and Planning Commission.
Bryan (Dusty) Rhoades: He spent 40 years managing personnel and programs for the U.S. Marine Corps and the federal government. He retired as a colonel, who served in the infantry and intelligence divisions. Rhoades is part-owner of a consulting company that supports the Department of Defense.
Kathryn Royer, incumbent: She was first elected to Town Council in 2018. Before that, Royer worked in the communications field.
Ron Sova, incumbent: He was first elected in 2016. Sova has built a career in construction.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Cave Creek. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Sam Kmack at sam.kmack@arizonarepublic.com.
Chandler
Chandler residents will see a competitive mayoral race for the first time in 16 years. And six candidates are running for three City Council seats that are up for grabs. At least two new council members will be elected as Terry Roe and René Lopez could not run again due to term limits.
Mayor
Kevin Hartke, incumbent: He seeks a second term as mayor. Hartke has lived in the city since 1985 and was the lead pastor at Trinity Christian Fellowship. He was elected to the council in 2008 and served two terms before being elected mayor in 2018.
Ruth Jones: She moved to Chandler two years ago from Clearfield, Utah, where she served on the city’s planning commission and unsuccessfully ran for city council.
At-large council
Angel Encinas: He is a small-business owner who manages an immigration consulting firm and real estate business. Encinas was raised downtown, where he still lives, and is a second-generation Chandler resident.
Darla Gonzalez: She is the grassroots director for the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and has lived in Chandler since 2004.
Cody Hannah: He is running as a write-in candidate.
Matt Orlando, incumbent: He seeks a sixth term on the City Council. Orlando was on the council from 1990 to 1998 and from 2004 to 2013. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and retired from Honeywell.
Jane Poston: She is a longtime Chandler resident who once worked for the city and is a small-business owner who runs J2Media with her husband.
Farhana Shifa: She is the former chair of the Arizona Republican Party’s Asian American Coalition and is a small-business owner who operates an art academy.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Chandler. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to Chandler reporter Sasha Hupka at sasha.hupka@arizonarepublic.com.
El Mirage
El Mirage should see a quiet election season this year, as neither the mayor nor the three incumbent City Council members will face any challengers.
Mayor
Alexis Hermosillo, incumbent: She was elected mayor as a political newcomer in 2018, unseating two-term Mayor Lana Mook. Hermosillo is a pursuing a doctorate degree in organizational leadership at Grand Canyon University and previously worked with Citizens Climate Lobby.
Council
Monica Dorcey, incumbent: She is serving as vice mayor. Dorcey was first elected in August 2018. She previously served on the city's Planning and Zoning Commission and Judicial Review Committee. She retired from Farmer's Insurance after nearly four decades.
Anita Norton, incumbent: She was appointed to the council in 2017 and elected in 2018. Norton is chair of the MAG Regional Domestic Violence Council. Norton owns Arizona Horseriding Adventures and is a certified therapeutic horse riding instructor. Norton is an alternate member for Maricopa County Development Advisory Committee.
Donna Winston, incumbent: She was first elected to the council in 2018. Winston is a student services analyst at Maricopa County Community Colleges and a wedding planner.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Glendale. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Taylor Seely at tseely@arizonarepublic.com.
Gilbert
Gilbert voters will decide on four Town Council seats. The town of some 270,000 residents southeast of Phoenix expects to hit population buildout in the coming years, which means leaders will steer the community through infrastructure, growth and quality-of-life issues.
Two incumbents, Laurin Hendrix and Aimee Yentes, opted not to run for reelection.
At-large council
Chuck Bongiovanni: He is the CEO and co-founder of a senior residential home franchise and sits on the board of directors for the Arizona Assisted Living Homes Association.
Bobbi Buchli: She is a real estate broker.
Michael Clark: He has a background in the hospitality industry and owns his own sales company.
Mario Chicas: He is a former Drug Enforcement Agency agent, who immigrated to the U.S. with his family from El Salvador.
Garrett Glover: He is a write-in candidate, who as a high schooler in 2019 worked with Republican state lawmaker Warren Petersen to make lemonade Arizona's official drink. He recently graduated with a political science degree from Arizona State University.
Yung Koprowski, incumbent: She is an engineer who was appointed to the Town Council in 2020 and seeks her first election.
Bus Obayomi: He is a business and management consultant who ran for Town Council in 2020.
Scott September, incumbent. He was appointed to the Town Council in 2020 and is seeking his first election to the seat. September works for Crown Castle International.
Bill Spence: He was appointed to the council in 2020, but lost his election bid later that year. Spence is a retired Naval lieutenant commander and nuclear engineering officer.
Jim Torgeson: He owns a custom sign shop and has filed to run for Town Council in the past.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Gilbert. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Maritza Dominguez at mcdomingue@gannett.com.
Glendale
No one filed to run against the three incumbents in Glendale, the largest city in the metro region west of Phoenix with about 250,000 residents.
Not sure which district you live in? Check Glendale's district boundary map by clicking here.
Ocotillo District
Jamie Aldama, incumbent: Aldama was first elected in 2014 and is serving as vice mayor this year.
Cholla District:
Lauren Tolmachoff, incumbent: Tolmachoff was first elected in 2014. She also sits on the board of directors at Valley Metro Regional Public Transit Authority. Tolmachoff works as a Realtor.
Barrel District:
Bart Turner, incumbent: He was first elected in 2014. Turner previously served as president of the Glendale Historical Society and Glendale Arts Council and chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Glendale. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Taylor Seely at tseely@arizonarepublic.com.
Goodyear
Goodyear voters will choose a mayor and three council members. Joe Pizzillo was appointed interim mayor in December after the death of Mayor Georgia Lord. He will face write-in candidate Carlita Cotton in his bid to keep the post.
Five candidates, including two incumbents, are running for the three council seats. Councilmember Patrick Bray, who was appointed in February to fill Pizzillo's council seat after he became mayor, is not seeking election.
Mayor
Joe Pizzillo, incumbent: First elected to the City Council in 2008 after he retired as the city’s budget manager the same year. He is an adjunct professor teaching accounting and finance at Estrella Mountain Community College, Grand Canyon University and Park University.
Carlita Cotton: She is running as a write-in candidate. Cotton owns several businesses, including Premium Business Consulting LLC, a health-care consulting company; Distinguished Concierge, an errand service; and Your Way, which provides ATMs at The Mercado and Phoenix Marketplace to increase access to banking services.
At-large council
Benita Beckles: She attends Goodyear’s Faith and Community Roundtable and the city’s Goodyear’s Community Action Network, a group the police chief worked with the community to create in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder. The group includes police, residents and community leaders and aims to open the lines of communications between police and the community. She participated in the city's Leadership Enrichment and Development course. Beckles worked nine years as an HR analyst for Phoenix.
Wally Campbell, incumbent: She was first elected to the council in 2011. Campbell serves on multiple state and local boards and commissions, such as Friends of the Library-Goodyear branch.
Tamara Floyd: She serves on the city’s Faith and Community Roundtable steering committee and participates in the Community Action Network. She participated in city training programs, including the Leadership Enrichment and Development course. Floyd works as a senior program coordinator promoting early childhood education for the University of Arizona.
Vicki Gillis: She has worked as a political fundraiser focused on raising money for police and fire departments. She owned a political fundraising company called Select Event, LLC in Washington and has organized campaign fundraising events for former state lawmaker Steve Smith and Maricopa County Sheriff candidate Jerry Sheridan.
Brannon Hampton, incumbent: He was first elected to the council in 2017 and is the current vice mayor. He works as a financial adviser with Edward Jones investment company.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Goodyear. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Maritza Dominguez at mcdomingue@gannett.com.
Ballot challenge: Goodyear City Council race narrows as candidate is booted from the ballot
Fountain Hills
Fountain Hills voters will elect a mayor and three council members.
Mayor
Joe Arpaio: He served as Maricopa County sheriff for 24 years, from 1993 to 2017. He was found guilty of criminal contempt of court in 2017, although former President Donald Trump pardoned him. He lost his bids for sheriff in 2016, for the U.S. Senate in 2018 and for sheriff again in 2020.
Ginny Dickey, incumbent: She was first elected mayor in 2018 and served two terms on the Town Council, from 2007 to 2015. She has worked as a banker, a bookkeeper and a part-time teacher.
At-large council
Cindy Couture: She is retired but worked as an English and American literature teacher for the Fountain Hills Unified School District from 2004 to 2015.
Brenda Kalivianakis: She graduated from law school and serves as a divisional staff officer for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Allen Skillicorn: He is a former two-term Illinois state representative. The Center Square, an Illinois-based publication, reported that he resigned from the Legislature in January 2021 and moved to Arizona. Prior to entering politics, he worked in marketing and advertising.
Hannah Toth: She owns a small event planning business, Athlete’s Story, and is a member of the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce. She also works as an executive assistant for Arizona Women of Action, a conservative political action committee.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Glendale. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Sam Kmack at sam.kmack@arizonarepublic.com.
Litchfield Park
There's no competition in Litchfield Park's races, although there will be one new council member as Tom Rosztoczy did not seek reelection.
Mayor
Thomas Schoaf, incumbent: He was first elected mayor in 2006. Schoaf was formerly the president of a local manufacturing business headquartered in Goodyear.
At-large council
Paul Faith, incumbent: He was first appointed to the council in 2004. Faith works as a real estate specialist attorney and is senior partner at the law firm of Faith, Ledyard, & Faith, PLC.
Justin James: He has served on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission for three years. He works remotely from his Litchfield Park home as a director of sales for a refrigerated trucking company based in Utah.
Lisa Brainard Watson, incumbent: She was first elected in 2018. Watson is a retired teacher in the Litchfield and Agua Fria school districts.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Glendale. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Maritza at mcdomingue@gannett.com.
Mesa
Mesa voters will decide on candidates to oversee growth in Arizona’s third-largest city. At least two new council members are guaranteed as District 5 Councilmember David Luna and District 6 Councilmember Kevin Thompson are not seeking reelection. Luna has reached the limit of two consecutive terms on the council and Thompson seeks a seat on the Arizona Corporation Commission.
District 4 (downtown Mesa):
Jenn Duff, incumbent: Duff was first elected to the City Council in 2018 and serves as vice mayor.
Trista Guzman Glover: She formerly served as director of the Governor's Office of Boards and Commissions.
Nathaniel Ross: He is an Arizona State University student.
District 5 (northeast Mesa):
Alicia Goforth: She is an attorney and a former member of the Las Sendas board of directors.
District 6 (southeast Mesa):
Scott Somers: He is a U.S. Air Force veteran who was first elected to the Mesa City Council in 2006 and served until 2015. Somers is a professor of practice at Arizona State University.
Darla Trendler: She is the co-owner of the used car dealership Red Mountain Motors and the host of a religious podcast.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Mesa. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Maritza Dominguez at mcdomingue@gannett.com.
Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley voters will elect a mayor and three council members.
Mayor
Jerry Bien-Willner, incumbent: He was first elected mayor in 2018 and served on the Town Council from 2015 to 2018. He was on the town’s Planning Commission from 2012 to 2014.
Julie Pace: She was first elected to the Town Council in 2011 and has served two terms. Pace is a labor attorney at law firm Messner Reeves.
At-large council
Ellen Andeen, incumbent: She was first elected in 2018 and seeks a second term on the Town Council. Before being elected, Andeen volunteered with the Paradise Valley Police Department. She has more than 25 years experience in banking and finance.
Paul Dembow, incumbent: He was first elected in 2010 and seeks a fourth term on the council. Dembow is president of Brand Enhancement, Strategy & Protection, a marketing and branding company.
Christine Labelle: She owns a real estate agency in Paradise Valley and is a member of the town’s Historical Advisory Committee.
Anna Thomasson, incumbent: She was first elected in 2018 and seeks a second term. Thomasson is a member of the Arizona State Bar Board of Governors and is an executive in residence at Arizona State University W.P. Carey Business School, where she is a mentor to MBA students and a guest lecturer.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Mesa. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Endia Fontanez at endia.fontanez@gannett.com.
Peoria
Peoria will hold its election in November since no race saw more than two candidates qualify for the ballot.
Mayor Cathy Carlat has reached the two-term limit and two candidates will compete to fill that spot. That isn't the only change, as four of six council seats will ultimately be up for grabs.
At least one new council member is guaranteed as Bridget Binsbacher had to resign from her seat representing the Mesquite District to run for mayor. The council appointed former Planning and Zoning Commissioner Brad Shafer in April to replace Binsbacher. He was the only person to apply for the seat.
Candidates interested in running for the the Mesquite District seat in November had to submit a statement of interest by 5 p.m. April 14 and must submit their signatures by 5 p.m. July 11.
Not sure which district you live in? Click here to find out.
Mayor
Jason Beck: He is the owner of military equipment company TYR Tactical based in Peoria. This is his first run for elected office.
Bridget Binsbacher: She has represented the Mesquite District on the City Council since 2015. She resigned April 5 to run for mayor, as required by law. She is president of the Cactus League.
Mayoral contenders weigh in: Peoria lands medical campus but city's first hospital flounders
Acacia District
Jennifer Crawford: She is a real estate office manager in Peoria. Crawford is a political newcomer who said she wants to work on reducing the disparities between north and south Peoria.
Vicki Hunt, incumbent: She served on the City Council from 2003 to 2010 and was re-elected in 2014 and 2018. She formerly taught high school English.
Mesquite District
Appointed Councilmember Brad Shafer and Diane Douglas, the state's former schools superintendent, have submitted statements of interest to run for the Mesquite District seat. They have until July 11 to turn in petition signatures to appear on the ballot in November.
Palo Verde District
Michael Finn, incumbent: He was first elected in 2014. Finn formerly served as chief financial officer in the Peoria Unified School District.
Pine District
Denette Dunn, incumbent: She was appointed to the council in April 2019 and elected later that year. Dunn formerly worked in marketing and government relations for Dickson Sweeping.
What Peoria issues or questions do you want candidates to address? Reporter Taylor Seely will work to get answers. Email tseely@arizonarepublic.com.
Phoenix
Phoenix operates on a different schedule and does not have a City Council election until November when seats in districts 2, 4, 6 and 8 will be on the ballot. A runoff election, if necessary, would be in March.
The city will see at least one new council member as Sal DiCiccio is termed out after serving three consecutive terms representing District 6.
District 2:
Matt Evans: A software engineer and part-time Uber driver who was born and raised in Phoenix. His top issues are homelessness and panhandling. Considers himself a conservative-leaning Independent who wants to solve problems on an issue-by-issue basis.
Heli Nielson: Works in sales for a global technology research and advisory firm. Nielson said her focus will be engaging District 2 residents to ensure their voices are heard and they receive their fair share of funding from the 2023 GO Bond, if voters approve the $500 million measure. Her top issues are water, economic development and infrastructure. She said she takes an evidence-based approach to problem-solving.
Jim Waring: Incumbent councilmember first elected in 2011. Waring, a Republican, previously served in the Arizona Senate and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House of Representatives. Known as a fiscal conservative, he's focused on "business-friendly" policies, public safety, transparency and eliminating wasteful spending, according to his website.
District 4:
Laura Pastor: Incumbent councilmember and current Vice Mayor Laura Pastor was first elected in 2013. She is the current chair of the Economic Development Subcommittee, according to the city website. Her top issues are public transportation, affordable housing and jobs and the economy, her website says.
District 6:
Harry Curtin: An entrepreneur of a software company who believes his "moderate" political beliefs will allow him to cross the aisle and work with all councilmembers. He's focused on police officer recruitment and addressing homelessness with an emphasis on mental health. He's a fiscal conservative who wants to bring in new ideas and cut costs.
Joan Greene: Owner of a marketing firm that serves small and large businesses. A born and raised Phoenician, Greene said she considers herself a "community-before-party" problem solver who's committed to transparency. She wants to bring more accountability to the city council, she said. After two unsuccessful congressional races against Republican Andy Biggs, she said she was ready to "return to my roots." Her top issues are water, housing and economics.
Mark Moeremans: Senior vice president of entrepreneurship and venture development at the Arizona Commerce Authority. Moeremans, who's 32, said it's "imperative" to elect "young, fresh and energetic" candidates like himself right now, since this upcoming council will shape Phoenix's trajectory for at least the next decade. Top of mind to him are housing, water, climate and sustainability and infrastructure.
Kevin Robinson: A professor at Arizona State University's Watts College of Public Programs and Community Solutions. Robinson formerly worked for the Phoenix Police Department for four decades as an officer and assistant police chief. His top issues are public safety, affordable housing, water and economic development. Politically well connected, Robinson has been endorsed by Mayor Kate Gallego and six former Phoenix mayors.
Moses Sanchez: A U.S. Navy veteran and immigrant from Panama, Sanchez, who is Republican, ran unsuccessfully for Phoenix mayor in 2018. According to his website, his top issues are homelessness, infrastructure and public safety.
Juan Schoville: A part-time security guard who said he's running to bring "working-class" representation to the City Council. Schoville, who's 24 and ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2020, said his top issues are homelessness, crime and gentrification. He wants to take a "compassionate but pragmatic" approach toward homelessness that increases rehabilitation and mental health services. He also wants to improve relations between police and residents. He describes himself as a "localist" who leans center-left on economic issues and libertarian on social matters.
Sam Stone: Former Chief of Staff to the outgoing District 6 Councilmember Sal DiCiccio, Stone said he'll take on the mantle of being outspoken and "willing to fight the fight" to "counterbalance" the rest of the liberal-leaning council. "I'm not against government spending. I'm against government spending without result," he said. Stone's website shows his positions in 12 public policy areas, plus ideas for Ahwatukee, Arcadia, North Central Phoenix and Sunnyslope.
Kellen Wilson: A union worker for Unite 11 who said her union organizing over the past few years inspired her to run for elected office. Her top issues are housing and preventing homelessness and public safety response times. She wants to bring a family-focused mindset to the council, she said, pointing to issues like after-school programs. Wilson said Councilmember Betty Guardado, who also formerly worked for Unite 11 and has endorsed Wilson, has been a mentor to her.
District 8:
Carlos Garcia: First elected in 2019, Garcia ran and won as an anti-establishment candidate. He first gained prominence in Phoenix for his activism leading protests against racial profiling policies enforced by former Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Nick Griemsmann: A Christian minister focused on improving "community safety, mental health resources and youth empowerment." Griemsmann wants to see Phoenix do more to help kids enter trade professions. An advocate for fully funding the police, he said officers need to be better trained to deal with mental health crises to avoid conflict escalation. Griemsmann said his history working in non-profit organizations will help him guide the city to operate fiscally efficiently with low overhead.
Kesha Hodge Washington: A civil and commercial litigation attorney who wants to correct what she calls the "monolithic" approach incumbent Councilmember Carlos Garcia takes by solely focusing on public safety, she said. She wants to focus on economic development and affordable housing. Hodge Washington argues for holding officers accountable but isn't interested in defunding. Instead, she wants to fill police officer vacancies and improve community-police relationships.
Denise Viner: A dance studio owner who is focused on public safety, the economy, culture and accountability. According to her website, Viner's husband works for the Phoenix Police Department, and "her support for law enforcement is strong, yet she understands the concerns and struggles of the people."
For more details on the candidates, click here.
Scottsdale
Scottsdale voters will choose three council members with at least one new face guaranteed as Councilmember Linda Milhaven is termed out.
At-large council
Pamela Carter: She owns a sports medicine and weight training facility in Scottsdale and has worked as a station manager and on-air talent at KPAZ, an affiliate of Trinity Broadcast Network in Phoenix. She runs her nonprofit Creative Genius Media, which produces faith-based and family-friendly films and other content.
Barry Graham: He has served on Scottsdale's Planning Commission since 2020. Graham is a Scottsdale native and works in accounting at Arizona-based firm Wallace Plese + Draher.
Daniel Ishac. He is retired but previously worked as an actuary and human resources consultant. He served on the city's Board of Adjustment.
Kathy Littlefield, incumbent: She was first elected in 2014. Littlefield co-founded and manages computer company NetXpert Systems with her husband, Bob Littlefield, who served on the council from 2002 to 2015. She previously worked in the city budget office in Plano, Texas.
Tim Stratton: He is a tax and finance attorney at Gust Rosenfeld. Stratton served on the city's Industrial Development Authority from 2014 to 2020 and on the Board of Adjustment in 2021 and from 2012 to 2014. He is a member on the Arizona State Board of Charter Schools.
Solange Whitehead, incumbent: She was first elected in 2018. Whitehead is an electrical engineer who volunteers at Granite Reef Senior Center and serves on the Board of Waste Not.
Raoul Zubia: He is a business consultant at technology firm IMPRIVA. Zubia was appointed to serve on the Human Services Commission and the Scottsdale Housing Agency Governing Board in 2021. He previously served on the city commission from 2010 to 2013.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Scottsdale. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Sam Kmack at sam.kmack@arizonarepublic.com.
Surprise
Just one of three Surprise City Council races will be competitive. Councilmember Chris Judd is running uncontested in District 6 and Councilmember Jack Hastings is unopposed in District 5 after his initial challenger was booted from the ballot for not having enough valid nomination signatures. District 1 residents are guaranteed a new representative after incumbent Roland Winters was knocked off the ballot for failing to garner the needed 250 signatures.
Not sure which district you live in? Click here to type in your address and find out, or click here for a map of the district boundaries.
District 1
Raymond Grim: He is an insurance agency owner. Grim previously served on the city's Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission and was chairman of the Government Affairs with Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce. Grim also ran for the District 1 seat in 2018.
Lewis Guyn: He is a systems optimization consultant at Swift Transportation. The political newcomer has lived in Surprise for 13 years.
Nick Haney: He is a Glendale firefighter paramedic. Haney is a former member of the Surprise Youth Council and a former Arizona State University undergraduate student government senate president.
District 5
Jack Hastings, incumbent: He is a high school civics teacher elected in August 2020. Hastings serves as the city's ambassador to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.
District 6
Chris Judd, incumbent: He was elected in 2018 and works as an independent insurance broker. Judd serves on the executive board for the White Tank Mountains Conservancy, Maricopa Association of Governments Economic Development Committee and Valley Metro Board of Directors.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Surprise. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Taylor Seely at tseely@arizonarepublic.com.
Tempe
Tempe holds its city elections in March. Voters there recently elected Arlene Chin, Berdetta Hodge and incumbent Jennifer Adams to the City Council.
Their terms begin in July.
Tempe voters created perhaps the most diverse council in metro Phoenix.
Tolleson
Four candidates are vying for three council seats in Tolleson.
At-large council
Frank Aponte: He is a former superintendent in Tolleson's Field Operations Department.
Jimmy Davis, incumbent: He was appointed in 2020 after Juan Rodriguez resigned from council to run for mayor. Davis owns a performing arts studio and is involved in the arts community around the Valley.
Clorinda Erives, incumbent: She was first elected to the council in 2009. Erives has worked as a public school educator since 1995.
Linda Laborin, incumbent: She was first elected in 2001. Laborin worked in the Tolleson Elementary School District for 20 years.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Surprise. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Maritza Dominguez at mcdomingue@gannett.com.
Youngtown
Youngtown, the community of about 7,000 residents in the northwest Valley, will have five seats on the ballot – four Town Council seats and the mayoral post. One of the Town Council seats is a 2-year term, the others are 4-year terms.
Mayor
Michael LeVault, incumbent: He has served as mayor since 2006. LeVault is a former real-estate agent and serves on the board of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority. He's also a member of the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council.
At-large council
The 2-year seat:
Bernadette Labat: She owns a small business, Used Tools and More, with her husband in Youngtown. Labat sought to serve on the council after former Councilmember Jacob "Jack" Duran died, but she did not meet the resident requirements at that time. She moved to Youngtown in 2020.
Jim Starke: He works as a private instructor teaching music, martial arts and survival. Starke has been a member of the Youngtown Neighborhood Watch for two years and a resident of the town for four years.
The 4-year seats:
Ensign Beesley: He is recently retired and has lived in Youngtown for more than five years.
Margaret Chittenden, incumbent: She first joined the Town Council in 2005. Chittenden is a former receptionist for Del Webb, dispatcher and reserve sheriff's deputy for Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
Karen Haney Duncan, incumbent: She was first elected to the council in 2018. Duncan recently retired as a school bus driver for Peoria Unified School District.
Michael “Mike” Francis, incumbent: He was appointed to City Council in fall 2021 after the death of Councilmember Jacob "Jack" Duran. Francis previously worked in maintenance and facilities and now serves as president of the Youngtown Community Garden, which hosts potlucks every Saturday evening.
Jodi Kaczynski: She is an adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University and a K-8 educator. Kaczynski is on the planning committee for Coyote Crossing Park.
Denita Manning: She is a pastor in the Phoenix area and moved to Youngtown five years ago.
Ann Nelson: She works in medical records and was previously a call center employee. Nelson moved to Youngtown in July 2020 and got involved in the Neighborhood Watch program.
More details on the candidates: The Republic asked candidates to answer five questions on some of the most pressing issues in Youngtown. Here's how they responded.
If you have questions beyond the candidate Q&A, reach out to reporter Taylor Seely at tseely@arizonarepublic.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2022 elections: Meet the city council candidates in metro Phoenix
