The final unofficial Tempe City Council election results show challengers Brooke St. George and Bobby Nichols winning the two seats against incumbents Berdetta Hodge and Jennifer Adams.
Out of over 24,000 ballots cast, St. George has over 12,700 votes and Nichols has over 11,500 votes — both ahead of the incumbents by over 1,000 votes, with Hodge taking 10,402 and Adams taking 9,262.
St. George, who started her campaign last August, said she was “ecstatic” and that she is ready to get to work with Nichols and other council members. She even has the support of former Mayor Harry Mitchell, as their relationship began when she was on the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission more than 30 years ago.
“He’s been such a great mentor to me, and it’s fantastic to have his support,” she said.
Others have gained national support, with Bobby Nichols gaining an endorsement from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
“I think the people of Tempe are supportive of progressive change and see how this local effort can be recognized on the national level,” Nichols said.
Nichols has been part of the Sanders’ organization the Democratic Socialists of America for several years and helped campaign for Sanders in 2016 when he ran for president.
“I feel euphoria and shock and then euphoria again,” Nichols said. “He’s someone I’ve looked up to my entire political life and it’s helped me inspire more volunteers who support change in Tempe.”
Some residents are excited to see this change after allegations of misconduct.
Recently, some local media reported Adams had allegedly called Councilmember Arlene Chin a derogatory name in an internal memo and noted there had been several complaints about her behavior in the workplace.
Adams responded to a request for comment on May 23, saying, "I want to thank my amazing team of volunteers. I'm looking forward to having a new chapter in my life."
Hodge was up against the public after an incident in December when she was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run involving a former city staffer.
Despite the scrutiny, it didn’t hinder her success. Hodge was one of the more popular of the seven candidates and made it to the runoff.
While the outcome was not what she had hoped, Hodge conceded on Wednesday night in a Facebook post saying she will continue her work in the community in any way possible.
“This community is worth it and always will be,” she said in the post.
Adams has not posted publicly and has made her campaign website private. Adams worked for the city for 37 years and was on the council for eight. It is unclear if her tenure with the city has come to an end.
Both Hodge and Adams will leave their seats on June 30 to allow for Nichols and St. George to be sworn in on July 1 after the results have been certified by the city council.
This story was updated on May 26 after receiving a response from Jennifer Adams.
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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