By Madeline Bates
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The data used in this article was updated on March 12 around 11 a.m. For the most up-to-date election results, please visit  Maricopa County Election Results. 

The first round of results from the Tempe City Council race on Tuesday show only one candidate has claimed one of the three spots: Incumbent Arlene Chin.

So far Chin has received more than half of the counted votes and is the only candidate with the amount of votes needed to claim on council seat.

Maricopa County Elections Department states that 63,568 total votes have been cast from the more than 24,200 ballots turned in. After dividing 63,568 by three for each open spot, and dividing that number by two to find the 50% majority, each candidate needs at least 10,594 votes to qualify for a spot on the dais.

Chin now has over 11,700 votes 

“Thank you to everyone who supported my campaign and placed your trust in me. This result is a mandate for me to keep listening to our residents, supporting safe neighborhoods and making thoughtful decisions that improve the daily lives of people across our city,” Chin posted to Facebook the morning after the results were announced.

Behind her are Brooke St. George with 8, 818 and Berdetta Hodge with 8,266, both a few hundred votes shy of the 9,270 needed to be declared winners.

Following them are Jennifer Adams and Bobby Nichols. If there is a runoff, Adams and Nichols would qualify because two seats are being contested.

Joe Forte and Elvis Taska received the fewest votes.. Both candidates have said they are interested in running again in 2028 to compete for the three seats currently held by Councilmembers Nikki Amburg and Randy Keating, as well as Vice Mayor Doreen Garlid. Tempe will also hold a mayoral race in 2028.

 “Every vote needs to be counted, and we’re going to respect that process. I’m grateful for everyone who showed up, volunteered and believed in this campaign,” St. George posted on Facebook and Instagram.

Hodge, who also serves as a governing board member for the Tempe Union High School District, said she is inspired to keep advocating for education and city government.

“When we started this history making journeys four years ago, we set out to prove that our community cares about the connection between city and education, public safety and community development,” Hodge posted to Facebook. 

To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

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.