Arizona primary election 2026: Who is running for mayor, city council?

Arizona’s primary election on July 21 will include mayoral and city council races in 24 cities and towns across the Phoenix area, with 22 candidates running for mayor in 12 cities and 124 candidates competing for 81 council seats. Five mayoral races are uncontested, and 20 council seats face no opposition, leaving over 135,000 registered voters without a choice in local leadership. Nearly 352,000 residents in cities like Gilbert and Queen Creek—and 294,000 registered voters—live in areas with no contested council races, meaning one in ten Maricopa County voters will have no say in their next councilmember. The election will determine local governance on key issues, including development approvals, tax policies, and public services like police and fire protection. Council decisions also shape long-term community plans, such as housing density and infrastructure investments. Voters must register by June 22 to participate, with early voting running June 24–July 26 and mail-in ballots due by July 14. Races without a majority winner will proceed to runoff elections on November 3. Mayoral contests are underway in 12 cities, including Chandler and Peoria, where term-limited Mayor Kevin Hartke is being replaced. Chandler’s race features Matt Orlando, a City Council member and Air Force veteran running for a second time, and Jeff Weninger. Other competitive mayoral races include those in Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Mesa’s District 5 council race, which are drawing significant attention. Council races span 19 cities, from Apache Junction to Wickenburg, with Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Mesa’s District 5 standing out as critical battlegrounds. The election’s outcomes will directly impact local policies, from economic development to public safety funding, reflecting the priorities of Arizona’s growing urban communities.