The only candidate for a Tempe council seat who is a practicing attorney, Bobby Nichols, was raised in Tempe, where he then attended Arizona State University before moving to San Francisco to study law.
During his time in California, he interned with former city supervisor Dean Preston in 2020 and helped create housing and poverty solutions for the over 5,000 unhoused individuals in San Francisco counted at the end of 2019.
Following the pandemic, Nichols returned to Tempe and became one of the Assistant Attorney Generals, working with victims of domestic violence and child and family services, while also looking for political involvement along the way.
“I saw a lot of successful ballot measures pass in Arizona in 2020 that made me very encouraged to make progressive change in Arizona and, most importantly in Tempe,” he said.
He joined the Phoenix-metro chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America after working with the organization in California during his law degree. Politically, Nichols sees himself as a democratic socialist but wants others to know that there’s more to the organization than the political ties.
The organization has run campaigns across the Valley on issues related to ICE and federal policing as well as Tempe’s city park ordinance, where members of the organization held protests in opposition of the change.
Nichols held several leadership positions with DSA before stepping back to spend more time with family and then later run for office.
Now, as he runs for council, Nichols is the only candidate who would support raising taxes in the city, specifically for corporate lodging and short-term rentals, commercial shipping as well as taxes on commercial properties and commercial vehicle renting and transport he claims could generate up to $40 million for the city to help with the budget deficit and assist with new programs.
This has not been popular with the business community, but Nichols says that he plans to be a leader for all of Tempe should he be elected.
“These costs go toward building out a city that’s better for everyone, including our business owners,” he said.
Corrections were made to clarify Nichols as Assistant Attorney General and his time with Dean Preston.
To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
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.
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