A Democrat, Ansari interned for Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, and, most recently volunteered for Gallego's campaign. “I’m going to keep doing what I’ve always done for my community,” Estela told The Republic. She was Phoenix's planning and development director and the county’s planning director. The competition for the seat became heated in recent weeks, with opponents calling into question the candidates' backgrounds. Debra Stark. She said that for the last decade, she has worked on community projects and policies in the areas of domestic violence, child welfare reform, homelessness, criminal justice reform and voter integrity. Nicole’s platform is pro police, pro small business, and fiscal responsibility. Since we started Phoenix New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we would like to keep it that way. Follow Arizona politics? Much of her immediate family lives in her neighborhood. Of the districts on the ballot: District 1 represents northwest Phoenix; District 3 includes portions of north and north-central Phoenix; District 5 represents west Phoenix, including Maryvale; And District 7 represents parts of south Phoenix, downtown Phoenix and Laveen. She said if reelected she would continue to advocate for the dead west Phoenix light rail line, bring more affordable housing to the district, and help build a healthier community by advocating for more grocery stores and healthy food options. Some have political experience, while others are just getting involved. He and Ann O’Brien, a school board member in the Deer Valley Unified School District, will face off for the open seat. Mayor Kate Gallego faces two challengers on the ballot, Merissa Hamilton and Tim Seay. Stark has a wide lead over competitor Nicole Garcia in District 3, and Ansari has a wide lead over Cinthia Estela in District 7 as the vote count continues. District 7, which covers parts of south Phoenix, downtown Phoenix and Laveen, will elect a new council member this election cycle. During a Biden campaign event at Phoenix’s Heard Museum last week, local Fox affiliate Fox 10’s Nicole Garcia offered viewers a glimpse from outside the event, which was attended by both former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) — the first of any with both candidates since the Democratic National Convention. Stark is focused on economic development and continuing to improve the cities infrastructure. His experience as a small business owner, he said, will allow him to solve the community’s problems. Ansari, who has Gallego's endorsement, would bring a solid progressive majority to the council. To view the publicity pamphlet and/or sample ballots in these districts click here . Guardado, 43, moved to Arizona from Los Angeles in 2007. Flunoy said he wanted to get involved to be part of the solution. On Saturday and Monday, the only two days of early in-person voting, voters cast 267 ballots at vote centers. “I know we’re going to stick together.”. She said she is running because the city’s decisions have hurt the community, with many losing their jobs and businesses. "I'm perfectly suited to take this on, given the extensive policy experience I've had at the national and international level," she said. Stark and Ansari called their races and celebrated their wins on Tuesday night — Stark from home and Ansari from an event with supporters at a bar in downtown Phoenix. He said he wants to help reduce crime and homelessness in his neighborhoods by reviewing data and having discussions to solve problems. She acknowledged as much to supporters on Tuesday night, saying she is “so excited for a progressive majority on the council.”. Support local journalism. Perkins Coie is marking our tenth anniversary in the world’s financial capital. Of the four open council seats, two incumbents — Council members Debra Stark in District 3 and Betty Guardado in District 5 — are running for reelection, while the other two — Thelda Williams in District 1 and Michael Nowakowski in District 7 — are unable to run again because of term limits. Second, the coronavirus pandemic has made it especially difficult for candidates to spread their message through door-knocking and public events. She barely moves, she had the energy of a turtle! Prior to being elected, Stark worked as a planning official in Maricopa County, Peoria and Phoenix. “They feel unheard and are ready for a representative who will speak for them and not their political insider friends,” Garcia wrote. Carlos For Phoenix. Stark, a Democrat, said she is running again because, for her, “it’s about public service.”, “That has been my entire career,” she said. Another focus of Guardado's on the council has been fighting for the hospitality workers she used to represent for Unite Here. [1] Garcia is an associate professor at Arizona State University's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. Write-in candidates have until 5 p.m. Thursday to file paperwork. Mercado-Gudino said she is running to be a stronger voice for her community. The mayoral and council election is officially nonpartisan, but Gallego and Seay are Democrats and Hamilton is Republican. The city received 40,865 ballots in the mail by Monday, according to the City Clerk's Office. In the March 2017 election, voters chose to keep Stark in the seat. 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