By Trevor Godfrey, Sophia Kunthara, Agnel Philip and Miranda Romero
Voters in central Phoenix cast ballots in Tuesday’s runoff election to select the next representatives for Phoenix City Council Districts 4 and 8.
Early results Tuesday night showed candidates Laura Pastor leading in District 4 with about 52 percent of the vote and Kate Gallego leading in District 8 with nearly 63 percent of the vote.
Tuesday’s results included more than 23,000 early ballots received through Saturday, Nov. 2 and more than 2,000 ballots cast at voting centers Tuesday.
4,000 ballots for both districts still needed to be processed and tabulated, according to Stephanie Ribodal Romero, public information officer for the City Clerk’s office. This number includes provisional ballots.
Romero said that since Maricopa County had elections today as well, there could be additional ballots from county voting centers, which will be delivered to the city soon.
District 4
Early results showed a close race between candidates Laura Pastor and Justin Johnson in District 4. Pastor held a slim lead with 51.76 percent of the vote to Johnson’s 48.24 percent at about 9 p.m. Tuesday.
More than 100 people showed up at Harley’s Italian Bistro near Seventh Avenue and Indian School Road to support Laura Pastor. The bistro was packed with supporters of all ages. The mood was energetic and in the middle of it all was Pastor.
“I chose Laura because her values and her beliefs of wanting to include everyone in helping expand the diversity that District 4 is known for,” said Darlene Martinez, 58, the CEO of Future Leaders consulting firm.
The room went quiet as a projection on the wall revealed initial results, which showed Pastor ahead 52 percent to 47 percent. As the results sunk in, the room burst into loud cheers. People began chanting her name as she hugged those around her, clearly overjoyed with the outcome.
“I am so excited about this because neighborhoods won tonight,” Pastor said. “I feel that I am bringing the collaboration to this council that it needs.”
Supporters congratulated Pastor’s consultant, David Waid, after seeing the early results.
“The city of Phoenix just took one big step today,” Waid said. “Laura being a female and being a Latina is a big deal for the Phoenix City Council.”
Pastor is a fifth-generation Arizonan and was raised in District 4. She has worked as a teacher while also volunteering for Phoenix communities.
Justin Johnson’s supporters gathered at Urban Beans coffee shop on Seventh Street and Osborn Road for election night. Partygoers, who Johnson said were mostly family members, seemed relatively relaxed for what was a big night for the young politician.
“I think we need some fresh blood on City Council,” said Dick Gayer, a District 4 resident. He said Pastor represented another member of the old guard of politicians that he believed had let the district down.
Most supporters were very optimistic.
“All the polls we’ve seen have me ahead from the beginning,” Johnson said. “As long as we get our voters out to vote, I think we are going to be happy at the end of the night.”
Petrit Gashi, a volunteer in the Johnson campaign, referred to the overwhelming support he saw in the community for Johnson’s campaign.
“When I’ve been going door to door canvassing, almost all of the time, it was Justin’s support.”
Early numbers put Pastor ahead by more than 500 and some doubt began to creep into the Johnson camp.
“It’s going to be a challenge,” Johnson said after learning about the results. “There’s still a chance. It all depends on how many voters there are left.”
Nevertheless, Johnson’s supporters remained optimistic.
“It’s too early,” Gayer said. “I still think he’s going to win.”
District 8
Early results had Kate Gallego ahead of fellow candidate Pastor Warren Stewart by nearly 30 percent. Both are competing to become the next council member for District 8. The seat is currently held by Councilman Michael Johnson, who reached his term limit and was not up for reelection.
After a long final day calling and reaching out to voters on social media to remind them to vote, Gallego and about 100 supporters gathered at Co+Hoots on 11th and Washington streets to wait for the results. Onlookers were confident that the wait would be over by 8:01 p.m.
When the first results came out at 8 p.m., cheers turned to chants of Gallego’s name. Initial results showed Gallego leading with 63 percent of the votes that were counted.
Gallego said the campaign owed its success to many thoughtful people. She said she looked forward to working with community leaders, including her opponent, Pastor Warren Stewart.
The campaign had a large social media presence leading up to the election, using question and answer utilities to engage the community and make decisions on how to address issues, campaign manager Lisa Fernandez said.
“I believed in what she stood for,” said Kenneth King, 66, a District 8 resident.
Early results showed Stewart behind in District 8 by nearly 30 percent. Before the votes were tallied, excitement and enthusiasm was evident at Stewart’s election party at El Portal restaurant as supporters gathered to wait for results.
“We’re very optimistic. We’ve had a strong closing run. A huge grassroots community push toward the finish line. I think what’s really made a difference is Warren Stewart’s 36-year relationship with the district,” said Karl Gentles, Stewart’s campaign director. “He’s delivered for the district for so many years and I think people finally heard that message and it really made a difference for us.”
Volunteer Petra Falcon said she was feeling hopeful and that a win by Stewart would bring much needed reform for the underserved Latino and African American communities in District 8.
“He’s been bringing together the Latino and Black leaders together to work on his campaign. Especially in this district, the issues are about working families across all ethnicities … He has brought together the community as a pastor and civil rights leader,” Falcon said.
After the unofficial results put his opponent ahead by nearly 30 percent, the spirit of the Stewart campaign was not crushed. Stewart commended the volunteers for their hard work, noted that his fight for justice had not ended and pledged to make sure citizens of District 8 were properly served.
“My lifelong mission for justice and fairness will continue until my last breath,” Stewart said.
Stewart said he was disappointed that he did not have the opportunity to serve on the City Council, but said his next plans are to ensure that District 8 is served properly.
“(My next plans are) to make sure that the people who feel they’ve been ignored and feel like second-class Phoenicians in District 8, that the new City Council person elect does not ignore them and (allow) them to feel that they are second-class Phoenicians.”
