DSA-Backed Democratic Socialist Wins Tempe, AZ Council Seat As Progressives Oust Incumbents

Two challengers defeated incumbent Tempe City Council members in the city’s runoff election, elevating an open Democrat Socialist backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) while reshaping the political makeup of one of Arizona’s most Democrat-dominated cities.

According to official election results posted by the City of Tempe, Brooke St. George finished first in the runoff with 12,750 votes, or 29.02%, while Bobby Nichols secured the second available council seat with 11,514 votes, or 26.21%. Incumbent councilmembers Jennifer Adams and Berdetta Hodge were defeated in the runoff.

Tempe’s municipal elections are officially nonpartisan, though ideological alignments and organizational backing frequently shape local contests.

Nichols campaigned openly as a democratic socialist and received endorsements from both Phoenix Metro DSA and the National Democratic Socialists of America, as well as from Sen. Bernie Sanders. Nichols’ campaign identified him as a candidate focused on housing affordability, labor organizing, and expanding public investment.

Congrats to our endorsed candidate, Bobby Nichols, for winning his race for Tempe City Council!🎊🌹DSA proudly continues to stand with Bobby and the working class of Arizona! pic.twitter.com/LsItkVjYuT

— DSA (@DemSocialists) May 21, 2026

Sanders’ endorsement drew attention beyond local politics. Arizona Agenda highlighted the Vermont senator’s decision to endorse a municipal candidate in a suburban Arizona city, framing Nichols’ campaign as part of a broader progressive political effort.

Phoenix Metro DSA publicly confirmed campaign field involvement in Nichols’ race following the election.

“We’re proud to say we knocked doors for Bobby Nichols’ run for Tempe City Council,” the organization stated via Instagram.

Campaign finance reports show Nichols raised more than $51,000 during the election cycle and spent more than $45,700 during the race. The filings show that more than $7,100 came from out-of-state individuals and $7,700 from political action committees. PAC contributors included Arizona Works Together, Arizona Pipe Trades Local 469 PAC, Way to Lead PAC, and the Phoenix DSA Fund, which contributed $1,300 directly. 

St. George reported substantially lower campaign fundraising totals than Nichols, with roughly $20,200 in receipts and nearly $16,000 in expenditures during the cycle.

Nichols also publicly connected his campaign to the broader democratic-socialist movement and celebrated New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s political rise.

“I am logging off to watch Zohran win, and I am so excited to bring democratic socialist policies to Tempe!” Nichols wrote during a campaign Reddit forum.

Nichols framed his campaign as part of a broader political movement during the race.

“We are building a movement for social change and economic change in America here at the local level,” Nichols told Arizona State University’s State Press.

St. George, a former Tempe City Council aide and small-business owner, campaigned on local government transparency, housing, and community services, emphasizing support for renters and working families.

Following the runoff victory, Tempe Independent reported that St. George said she was “ecstatic” and ready to work with Nichols and fellow council members. She also highlighted support from former Tempe Mayor and Congressman Harry Mitchell, whom she described as a longtime mentor.

“He’s been such a great mentor to me, and it’s fantastic to have his support,” St. George said.

The runoff followed Tempe’s first council runoff election in more than a decade and unfolded during an unusually contentious local political cycle. 

According to Phoenix New Times, challengers benefited from growing dissatisfaction with incumbents and backlash tied to city governance disputes and parks policy controversies that intensified during the campaign. Nichols had previously participated in organizing efforts connected to criticism of council decisions. 

Outside political spending also became a point of contention during the race. Phoenix New Times reported that mailers targeting Nichols and St. George were funded through outside political spending, which St. George criticized following the election.

“We overcame out-of-state spending and political division,” St. George said. 

Nichols’ victory places an openly democratic socialist endorsed by DSA and Sanders onto the Tempe City Council following a runoff shaped by progressive organizing, anti-incumbent dissatisfaction, and significant campaign spending.