Phoenix’s runoff election: the results so far

By
Yoori Han
-
(Sierra LaDuke/DD)

In the city of Phoenix’s unofficial results, District 7 candidate Yassamin Ansari is in the lead for the council seat.

The city held a Runoff Election for registered voters who occupy in council Districts 3 and 7 elect Council members on Tuesday, March 9. The election was required by State law because none of the candidates on the ballot received a majority of votes in the Mayor and Council election that was held on Nov. 3, 2020.

Candidates Nicole Garcia and Councilmember Debra Stark ran for District 3 and the candidates Yassamin Ansari and Cinthia Estela ran for District 7. Ansari and Estela ran for Councilmember Michael ​Nowakowski’s seat on the council. ​Nowakowski, who assumed office in 2008, has served the city for three terms.

The unofficial results are as follows: Ansari is leading in the runoff election against Estela, and Stark is leading against Garcia. In District 3, Stark won by 68.40% with 21,112 votes and Garcia lost by 31.60% with 9,755 votes. For District 7, Yassamin Ansari won by 58.29% with 7,366 votes and Estela lost by 41.71% with 5,270 votes.

Yassamin Ansari, tweeted out a thank you message on March 9, claiming victory. “I’m absolutely elated, humbled, and grateful, and I can’t wait to get to work on your behalf!”

Yassamin Ansari is a first-generation American and Arizona-born native. Throughout her campaign, Ansari promised to be connected, accessible, and transparent during her term as Councilwoman.

Her polices focuses on neighbor outreach, with a program in the city called Mobile Offices, and COVID-19 relief and safety guidelines. Ansari policies also addresses protecting small businesses with financial support, reopening schools safely, providing affordable healthcare and housing for residents of District 7,  and the effects of climate change.

Debra Stark, who is also leading in the election’s unofficial results for District 3, aligns similarly with Ansari’s stance on a majority of her ideas. Stark spent her life in public service in local government and understands there is still “much work to do to ensure Phoenix strives into the future.”

Stark is committed to supporting small businesses, protecting water supply, improving safety on the streets, encouraging developments, addressing the homeless issue, and helping Phoenix thrive. She also took to Twitter on March 9, saying she is “honored and humbled to be re-elected” as District 3′ councilwoman.

Mayor Kate Gallego joined in the celebrations on Twitter as well, and said she is ready to work with both women for the city.

“I’m thrilled to work with you both — tonight we celebrate, tomorrow we get to work!” Gallego tweeted.

Any additional updates on the results will be expected to be released later in the day starting from Thurs. March 11, 2021. The candidate with the highest number of votes will take office beginning April 19, 2021, for a four-year term.

Contact the reporter at yhan99@gmail.com.

Yoori Han was the politics editor at Downtown Devil during fall 2021 and part of spring 2022.