(The Center Square) – Arizona state Sen. Anna Hernandez defeated her opponents in the race to represent district seven on the Phoenix City Council.
Hernandez leads the pack with a nearly 53% of the vote from the West Phoenix area district. As it stands now, it seems likely that the progressive will avoid a runoff.
“While I am excited to get to work for the residents of Phoenix, this is a somber moment in the wake of the Trump victory. Phoenix City Council must take decisive action to defend the freedoms of all of our residents. And we must pass bold progressive policies that address the economic and housing crises that have kept working families struggling to pay their bills with no relief in sight,” Hernandez said in a statement declaring victory.
Former State Rep. Marcelino Quiñonez is in second place with roughly 21% of the vote as of Thursday afternoon, former councilman Michael Nowakowski is at 16% and real estate agent Martyn Bridgeman is in fourth place with 11%.
“Yesterday, the people of Phoenix, Arizona, and the United States made their voices heard. While ultimately the voters of District 7 did not choose me to be their representative on the City Council, I remain confident that the future of Phoenix is bright and am committed to keeping our city moving forward,” Quiñonez said in a statement on Wednesday.
Councilman Carlos Galindo-Elvira currently represents the district after her was appointed in April. Congresswoman-elect Yassamin Ansari previously held the seat, but she stepped down to focus on her House bid in March.
Rep. Analise Ortiz, D-Phoenix, will take Hernandez’s seat in the state Senate this January. The Arizona Republic reported prior to the election that her Hernandez winning places a dent in Phoenix Mayor Gallego’s picks for the council, as Gallego backed Quiñonez.
