Phoenix Mayor, City Council Elections: The Latest

PHOENIX — Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego is projected to win her second term in office, even as votes are still being counted across Maricopa County.

Gallego was leading her two opponents, Tim Seay and Merissa Hamilton, by a significant amount, according to the most recent vote count. As of Thursday morning, Gallego had earned 305,866 votes. Seay and Hamilton had earned 60,789 and 126,554, respectively, with more ballots to be counted.

Gallego declared victory on Tuesday night. Gallego won office in 2018 during a special election to replace outgoing mayor Greg Stanton, who made a successful congressional bid. This will be her first full term in office.

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"I am thrilled to continue the important work we’ve accomplished these past months," she said in a statement, pointing to the city's efforts in combatting the coronavirus as a success from her time in office.

"There is so much more to do," she continued. "Let’s stay focused & Phoenix will be perfectly positioned to emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever. Together, we will live up to our promise to be a city that works for everyone."

Gallego recently received credible threats of violence from a Phoenix police officer, which is currently under investigation.

Four out of eight Phoenix City Council seats were also on Tuesday's ballot. Districts 1 and 7 will be getting new council members, as Thelda Williams and Michael Nowakowski face term limits.

As of Thursday, Ann O'Brien was winning District 1 and Yassamin Ansari leads in District 7, closely followed by Cinthia Estela. A run-off will likely be necessary if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote once the final tally is released.

Debra Stark and Betty Guardardo, the two incumbents running for re-election in Districts 3 and 5 were also ahead in their races. Guardardo declared victory in hers Tuesday night with approximately 25,781 votes but Stark could face a run-off with competitor Nicole Garcia.

For Phoenix school boards, Aaron Marquez is currently in the lead to sit on the board of the Phoenix Unified High School District. Jessica Bueno is leading in a tight race for the Phoenix Elementary School Board.

Phoenix voters overwhelmingly supported Proposition 444, which will allow the city budget to continue the use of a locally defined spending limit, rather than the state-defined spending limit, for an additional four years.