Phoenix Candidate Ed Hermes Faces 2008 Records

A 2008 political questionnaire shows Ed Hermes expressed anti-abortion views years before his current advocacy.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a stark monolith in a desert, symbolizing political policy shifts. — Phoenix City Council candidate Ed Hermes faces scrutiny over a 2008 questionnaire where he expressed anti-abortion views, contrasting with his current platform. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Phoenix City Council candidate Ed Hermes, who now advocates for reproductive freedom, completed an anti-abortion survey for the Arizona Right to Life PAC in 2008. Hermes stated he later changed his views after studying the issue and consulting with leaders.

Why it matters

The surfacing of the 2008 records highlights the evolution of Hermes' political platform regarding reproductive rights. His current stance contrasts with the positions he held while registered as a Republican, before he later switched to the Democratic Party.

Hermes was 24 years old when he completed the 27-question form for the Arizona Right to Life PAC in 2008. This follows a 2022 Phoenix City Council vote to deprioritize abortion-related crimes and the 2024 passage of the Arizona Abortion Access Act.

The players

Ed Hermes

He is a candidate for the Phoenix City Council and serves on the Osborn Elementary School District Governing Board.

Arizona Right to Life PAC

This is a political action committee that advocates for anti-abortion policies and candidates within Arizona.

Planned Parenthood

This organization provides reproductive healthcare services and advocates for abortion access and reproductive rights.

The details

In the 2008 questionnaire, Hermes indicated support for the reversal of Roe v. Wade and opposed abortion in most cases, as well as physician-assisted suicide. Hermes, who now serves on the Osborn Elementary School District Governing Board, attributed his earlier views to misinformation he received while growing up Catholic.

2002: Hermes registered as a Republican before later switching parties.
2008: Hermes completed the Arizona Right to Life PAC questionnaire.
2022: The Phoenix City Council voted 6-2 to deprioritize abortion-related crimes.
2024: Arizona voters passed the Arizona Abortion Access Act.
2025: Hermes was inducted into a high school hall of fame.

Political Context

Opponents and critics frequently highlight past political filings to challenge the consistency of a candidate's current platform. The surfacing of these records reflects a broader trend of utilizing historical questionnaires to frame current policy debates following the 2024 Arizona Abortion Access Act.

The public record of a candidate's past stances provides voters with necessary context to evaluate current campaign promises. Residents can use this information to determine if a candidate's evolution on reproductive issues aligns with their expectations for local representation.

The takeaway

Voters often evaluate candidates by comparing their contemporary platform to their historical political record. Researching the evolution of a candidate's stated beliefs can help citizens make informed decisions at the ballot box.