Phoenix Council member District 8 · Nov 3, 2026
Kesha Hodge Washington
Candidate for Council member District 8 (incumbent)
Kesha Hodge Washington, the incumbent, is running for Phoenix Council member District 8 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Frank Abasciano Jr. and Jarrett Barton Maupin, Jr..
Voter registration deadline · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayHodge Washington is a lawyer and former Arizona assistant attorney general who was sworn in as the District 8 council member in 2023. The council selected her as vice mayor in 2026.
- Campaign website
- www.keshaforphoenix.com
Kevin Robinson (District 6) and Kesha Hodge Washington (District 8) are running for re-election. Arizona Republic (via Sacramento Bee) · Oct 1, 2026
Where Kesha Hodge Washington stands: positions on the record
Homelessness1 sourced position
Says she has worked with service providers to expand shelter capacity, mental health outreach and pathways to permanent supportive housing.
“I have worked closely with local service providers and housing organizations to expand shelter capacity, invest in mental health outreach, and create more pathways to permanent supportive housing.”
Own statementKesha for Phoenix
Housing3 sourced positions
Says she has supported policies to increase affordable homes, protect renters from displacement and streamline permitting for new housing.
“I have actively supported and championed policies aimed at increasing the availability of affordable homes, protecting renters from unreasonable displacement, and streamlining the permitting and approval process for new housing developments.”
Own statementKesha for Phoenix
Her campaign site says she calls for right-to-counsel programs in the eviction process.
Own statementKesha for Phoenix
Voted yes on the Middle Housing ordinance, with a Morrison Institute study of expanding the overlay due in one year (passed 9-0, November 2025).
Council voteCity of Phoenix Legistar · Nov 19, 2025
Economic development1 sourced position
Says she has supported small businesses, job training and targeted investment in underserved parts of District 8.
“Over the past two years, I have supported small business opportunities, job training initiatives, and targeted investment in historically underserved areas of our district.”
Own statementKesha for Phoenix
Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Phoenix City Council District 8 in the March 2023 runoff election (won).
Own statementCity of Phoenix · Mar 14, 2023
Taxes and budget1 sourced position
Voted yes on raising the city's Transaction Privilege Tax (sales tax) rate from 2.3 to 2.8 percent, Ordinance G-7369 (passed 8-1, March 2025).
Council voteCity of Phoenix · Mar 18, 2025
Data centers1 sourced position
Voted yes on the data center zoning ordinance, Z-TA-2-25-Y (passed 9-0, July 2025).
Council voteCity of Phoenix Legistar · Jul 2, 2025
City manager1 sourced position
Voted no on the employment agreement hiring Ed Zuercher as city manager (passed 5-4, September 2025).
Council voteCity of Phoenix Legistar · Sep 17, 2025
Homelessness and parks1 sourced position
Voted yes on the Medical Treatment and Food Distribution in Parks Ordinance (passed 6-3, May 2026).
Council voteFoothills Focus
Light rail1 sourced position
Said the Indian School Road route gives the city more control and that transit access for Maryvale residents is too important.
“The Indian School route gives us more control as a city, and I believe that access to public transportation for the Maryvale residents is too important,”
Own statementArizona Capitol Times · Jan 28, 2026
What Kesha Hodge Washington said vs. how Kesha Hodge Washington voted
Housing
In their words
Says she has supported policies to increase affordable homes, protect renters from displacement and streamline permitting for new housing.
Her campaign site says she calls for right-to-counsel programs in the eviction process.
On the record
Voted yes on the Middle Housing ordinance, with a Morrison Institute study of expanding the overlay due in one year (passed 9-0, November 2025).
Nov 19, 2025 ·City of Phoenix Legistar · Nov 19, 2025
Also running for Council member District 8
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