After more than six years of service to the people and City of Phoenix, Mayor Greg Stanton has announced that he will be resigning as of noon on May 29. The announcement comes just 10 days before Stanton must turn in his election petitions for his run for Congress.

Although “Serving the people of Phoenix, both as a member of City Council and as mayor, has been a great honor…”, Stanton is required by Arizona law to step down from his position prior to submitting his election petitions for the Congressional District 9 seat.  U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), is vacating the seat as she is running for U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake’s seat in November.

Stanton also wrote, “I have confidence that with the ongoing leadership of the Phoenix City Council and City Manager Ed Zuercher, Phoenix will continue on its positive path.”

With Stanton’s current term expiring in 2019, his resignation will require a special election to be held this November, to fill the spot.  In March, there will most likely be a runoff election.

Having made his intention to run for Congress public last year, there have already been several Phoenix City Council members that have announced their bids for mayor. This includes Daniel Valenzuela, Moses Sanchez, Michael Lafferty, Kate Gallego, and Nicholas Sarwark.  Any other potential candidates must announce their bid within 10 days of May Stanton’s resignation.

Until the city council can vote on an interim mayor, Vice Mayor Thelda Williams will fill the seat.