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Tempe Council Race Likely Headed to May 19 Runoff as Early Results Show No Majorities

The race centered on housing, homelessness, immigration enforcement alongside a rental‑tax revenue hit affecting city finances.

Overview

  • Unofficial 8 p.m. returns showed incumbent Arlene Chin leading with 10,672 votes, or 19%, leaving her below the majority required to win a seat outright.
  • Former council aide Brooke St. George had 8,818 votes (nearly 16%) and incumbent Berdetta Hodge had 8,266 (nearly 15%), with incumbent Jennifer Adams in fourth place.
  • Roughly 5,000 votes separated the top and bottom of the seven‑candidate field, which also includes challengers Joe Forte, Bobby Nichols and Elvis Taska.
  • Under Tempe’s rules, candidates must secure 50% plus one vote to win; with fewer than three meeting that mark so far, a mail‑only runoff is slated for May 19.
  • This all‑mail election required ballots to be received by 7 p.m., with first results around 8 p.m., and the city has not held a runoff since 2014.