Congressman Greg Stanton pulls ahead in early results for seat in CD4

By Madeline Bates
Mail

After months of a Democratic challenge, early numbers from the Maricopa County Elections Department July 21 put Rep. Greg Stanton ahead of progressive activist Kai Newkirk with more than 29,000 votes.

One will take on Republican candidate Zuhdi Jasser, who ran unopposed, on Nov. 3 for the general election.

The candidate who wins in November will be sworn in to Congress in January to serve through 2027 and 2028.

Stanton first began his political career as a member of the Phoenix City Council serving the Biltmore and Ahwatukee areas. He was also Deputy Attorney General from 2009 to 2011 under Attorney General Todd Goddard. In 2012, he was elected Mayor of Phoenix and served for six years before running for Congress in what was then Arizona’s 9^th Congressional District. He has represented Arizona’s 4^th district since 2023.

Newkirk has never held a political office but has led several movements against both federal and state representation. His top issues are halting US aid and support to Israel and creating more affordable solutions in the district.

Stanton and many other Arizona members of Congress have also taken money from the American Israel  Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, sparking controversy from progressives who do not support the nation’s involvement with the war between Israel and Palestine. Rep. Yassamin Ansari is the only Arizona Congress member to not receive funds from the group.  

Madeline Bates
Reporter | Tempe/East Phoenix

mbates@iniusa.org

Meet Madeline

Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).  

Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.

Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.

Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.

Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.