The Valley Urban Action Alliance (VUAA) endorses Ed Hermes for Phoenix City Council, District 4. Ed is in the runoff election on March 9, 2027. The new council term begins April 19, 2027.

Runoffs usually draw far fewer voters than November elections. A FairVote report, Primary Runoff Elections and Decline in Voter Turnout (2020), found that turnout in congressional primary runoffs from 1994 to 2020 dropped by 38% on average. In Phoenix's last City Council runoff, in March 2023, about 25% of registered voters in Districts 6 and 8 returned a ballot, according to the City Clerk's official results.

A second-place finish in November does not decide a runoff. With fewer voters, every vote counts for more. That is why it is so important to start supporting Ed Hermes now, so he wins on March 9.

VUAA works for quality urban spaces for everyone. We want walking, biking, and quality public transit to be as comfortable and convenient as driving, supported by housing affordability and inclusive zoning.

Our questionnaire

We sent the same questionnaire to candidates running in Phoenix City Council Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8. It covered housing and zoning, street safety, biking, transit, and shade and heat. We are not endorsing in Districts 2, 6, or 8 this year.

Ed gave detailed, specific answers, and they lined up with VUAA’s positions on every question. He supported all five policy positions we asked about and gave the highest rating to increasing investment in both Vision Zero and public transit.

Where Ed stands

Housing and zoning. Ed supports allowing duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes on residential land citywide. He supports smaller minimum lot sizes and setbacks so that smaller, less expensive starter homes can be built. He supports pre-approved plans for casitas, single-stair apartment buildings up to six stories, and legalizing corner stores and small neighborhood retail in residential zones. Asked to name one ordinance the Council could pass within two years, he chose ending minimum parking requirements citywide.

Street safety. Ed supports safer street design: medians, safe midblock crossings, walk signals that give people a head start, and removing slip lanes. He supports removing the 7th Avenue and 7th Street reverse lanes. He has committed to fewer traffic deaths and serious injuries by the end of his term than in the year he takes office, with the numbers posted on a public dashboard every year.

Walking and biking. Ed supports narrowing or removing vehicle lanes to build a connected, protected bike network. He wants a funded construction schedule with annual targets for the 2014 Bicycle Master Plan, and he wants sidewalk gaps closed.

Transit. Ed supports signal priority for light rail, trains at least every 10 minutes on core routes until 9 p.m., bus rapid transit on 35th Avenue and Thomas Road as promised in Transportation 2050, and shade and seating at every stop. He supports restricting new drive-throughs along light rail and frequent bus corridors.

Heat. Ed proposes a $500 million citywide bond for shade and cooling, with the money directed by need to the hottest parts of the city. He has committed to planting 1,000 trees in District 4 in his first year, and he would push for dedicated annual funding to maintain what gets built.

Following adopted policy. Phoenix has adopted Vision Zero, Complete Streets, and transit-oriented communities policies. Ed would require street projects and rezoning cases to show how they advance those policies before they are approved.

His record

Ed has shown up for these issues for years. He rides the bus and light rail every day. He has advocated for or taken part in:

• Phoenix’s Vision Zero Community Advisory Committee, which he chaired

• The City’s 2023 parking reform zoning changes

• The push to end the 7th Avenue and 7th Street reverse lanes, 2025

• Protected bike lanes for students in the Osborn School District

• World Day of Remembrance vigil for people killed in traffic, 2025

• Week Without Driving, 2025 and 2026

• Park(ing) Day, 2025 and 2026

• Phoenix Bike to Work Day, 2025 and 2026, including its planning committee

• Community street cleanups on 3rd Avenue

Candidates who did not respond

These candidates did not return the questionnaire:

• District 2: Julie Read

• District 6: Kevin Robinson (incumbent)

• District 8: Kesha Hodge Washington (incumbent)

VUAA is proud to endorse Ed Hermes for Phoenix City Council, District 4. We encourage District 4 voters to support him in the March 9, 2027 runoff election.

Paid for by Valley Urban Action Alliance. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.