Phoenix Council Races Head to March Runoffs
Two council seats in District 2 and District 4 will be decided in a March 9 runoff after no candidate cleared 50% on Election Day.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you trust your local city council to represent residents well?
No candidate won more than half the vote in Phoenix City Council District 4 or District 2 on November 3, forcing runoff elections. The top two finishers in each race will compete again on March 9.
Why it matters
The runoffs will determine who fills council seats held by term-limited councilmembers, shaping local representation in Phoenix. Results remain fluid, as District 2 is separated by a narrow margin.
Ed Hermes holds 39.96% of the District 4 vote, while Ashley Harder has 12.73% among six candidates. In District 2, Julie Reed leads Danny Maza by 160 votes, a 0.63% margin, with Maza now in third place.
The players
Ed Hermes
Ed Hermes is a Phoenix District 4 council candidate who is endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America.
Julie Reed
Julie Reed is a Phoenix District 2 council candidate currently leading the race narrowly over Danny Maza.
Danny Maza
Danny Maza is a Phoenix District 2 council candidate who has dropped to third place in the vote count.
The details
The city council races are nonpartisan. Ed Hermes is endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America. Kesha Hodge Washington won re-election in District 6 and Kevin Robinson won re-election in District 8 without a runoff.
Timeline
November 3: Election Day for Phoenix City Council seats.
November 4: Noon vote count reported for District 4.
March 9: Runoff elections for District 4 and District 2.
Political Context
Phoenix's nonpartisan council elections require a majority to win outright, so multi-candidate fields like District 4's six-candidate race often go to runoffs. Opponents of the runoff structure have argued it lengthens the path to a decided seat.
Phoenix residents in Districts 2 and 4 will need to vote again on March 9 to decide their council representation. Voters in Districts 6 and 8 already have their council members for the next term.
The takeaway
Residents in District 2 and District 4 should stay informed about the March 9 runoff candidates and their positions before casting a ballot. Close margins mean every vote counts.
What happens next
Runoff elections for District 4 and District 2 will be held on March 9, with the top two candidates in each race facing off again.
Further reading
Track the latest Phoenix elections coverage for context on the upcoming council runoffs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Phoenix New Times.
Live Poll
Do you trust your local city council to represent residents well?
