By Madeline Bates
Mail

Kai Newkirk is taking on incumbent Greg Stanton and is ready to prove that progressive ideas are here to stay.

Newkirk doesn’t shy away from attacking his opponent, calling current Rep. Stanton “cowardly” for not attending the recent Arizona Clean Elections debate, but used the opportunity as a chance to discuss his views on current situations in the nation.

Newkirk is one of six candidates running for the seat.

Congressional District 4, which covers the Ahwatukee neighborhood of Phoenix, west Mesa and Chandler, has been redrawn several times to account for the growth in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa and was previously held by current Republican Congressman Paul Gosar who now represents the western part of the state with an office in Goodyear.

Following a discussion with Steven Goldstien in partnership with the Center for the Future of Arizona, Newkirk at a presser answered questions about gun control, AIPAC, and his choice to run against a sitting democratic member of Congress.

“I don’t care whether or not you think of yourself as progressive, moderate or a Democratic Socialist or a ‘Blue Dog.’ Are we going to be beholden to the same big-money forces that are screwed and overworking people or are we going to break that and build a society that’s about loving our neighbors as ourselves,” he asked rhetorically.

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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.