Comment on the July 21, 2026 primary election results:

Sadly, we did not get enough votes to prevail either with an outright win (more than 50% of the votes cast) or to make the top two vote getters to go to a runoff election November 3, 2026. Election results However, we did come in third place, which is a good result for a grassroots campaign with a very late start with a progressive Democrat message in a predominately conservative Republican district. Winning was our first goal, but we also ran on some other goals:

  • We wanted to show the community that progressives are alive and well and will turn out for a Democrat who remains true to those ideals. We will not stand by and let those hurting our country continue without a fight.
  • We wanted to show that candidates do not need to be "connected" or wealthy or sell out to special interests to run a competitive campaign. Our total cost has been approximately $2,000.
  • We wanted to set an example that would encourage other diverse regular residents and young people to step up and run for public office. If a senior citizen with no political ambitions or experience can come in third ahead of a candidate who spent $44,946.69, then anyone can do it, and win next time.

One point we made that we would like to see become law, is to stop big money from buying our local elections. Please look at "Get Big Money out of Politics" item below and pressure the City Council to implement "clean elections" for City elections. Our representatives should not be based on who can afford to put up the most street signs or place the most TV ads.

Thank you to all of our donors, volunteers and people who voted for me. 

-- Danny Hart July 22, 2026

The best place to see Danny in action is on his youtube channel for videos of him answering questions at public forums, interviews and on podcasts. Be sure to watch the Tribute Danny made to Rene Good before he got involved in contesting this year's Mesa City Council election and the video animation produced by one of the campaign supporters.

Key Local Priorities for Mesa

End cooperation agreement with ICE

Danny supports ending Mesa’s optional 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He believes federal immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government, not local taxpayers.ICE OUT).

No more wasteful data centers

Data centers can increase utility costs for residents, strain Arizona’s limited water resources, and negatively impact the environment while providing limited direct benefits to the community. Danny believes such projects should be paused and thoroughly investigaated to learn precisely what negative effects they have on Mesa people before any future consideration.

Invest in affordable housing

In a city of more than 500,000 residents, many people need support. Danny believes Mesa should prioritize investment in affordable and transitional housing as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen the community.

Help working families and the middle class

Danny supports policies that lower the cost of living and expand access to essential services, such as subsidized child care, affordable public transportation, and development policies that require businesses to bear the true costs their projects impose on the community rather than shifting those costs to residents.

Protect the rights of all residents

Mesa is home to people of diverse races, cultures, ages, religions, genders, and sexual orientations. They are our neighbors. Danny believes every resident deserves fairness, equality, and compassion, and he will work to protect the rights and dignity of all.

Address critical issues facing everyday residents

Danny is committed to addressing the critical issues facing everyday residents of Mesa according to what they want, not what special interests want or make profits from. Even if you don't agree with every position, Danny will always act in good faith to do what he thinks is best without allowing any financial influence from anyone. If you want a representative on the City Council who cares about people over profits and will not let his vote be "bought", please support Danny.

Danny will treat this office as a full-time responsibility. For every substantail issue, he will thoroughly review the facts, consult with qualified experts, hold town hall meetings with concerned residents, and consider the needs and interests of all Mesa residents and not just the wealthy, well-connected, or politically powerful. Danny will be your "watchdog".

Get Big Money out of politics

Danny would like to see all candidates for any City elective position take this pledge and make real time financial disclosures like he does so that we can stop big money from buying our local elections. Danny favors the City equally modestly ($5,000) funding all City Council candidates' campaigns once they obtain the requisite number of nomination signatures, so long as they pledge to forego all other contributuions. All Financial Reports required to be filed by candidates with the City of Mesa are available here.

The Pledge

So as to not be influenced by any special interests, Danny accepts no campaign funding from anyone with a financial interest in the outcome of any Mesa City Council decisions, and pledges that if elected he will never take any money, favors or things of value from anyone seeking to influence his duties as a City of Mesa Councilmember. See our financials.

The Candidate for the People

Danny is not a politician. He answered the call of local groups for someone to run who supports the less fortunate over the elites. He's running for the first time after a 40 year legal career, to give ordinary folks influence in their local government. Danny can not be "bought" because at this point of life, for him, money and “ambition” are no longer important. Becoming a council member is not winning a prize for him, it's a way to stay productive and move the City focus from what's wanted by real estate developers and big corporations, to what's best for workers, families and ordinary people.

Equality for All Mesa , No Rubber Stamps

If you are sick and tired of the direction Mesa has taken, now is the chance to change it. Insist on honesty. Make elected officials listen to you and stand up for what’s right. Reject candidates who accept “donations” from elites with business deals dependent on the City Council’s approval, and then “rubber stamp” whatever they want. Danny understands the concerns of residents. He will efficiently and competently lead with care and compassion to help unite Mesa. 

What Does the Mesa City Council Actually Do?

The Mesa City Council is the primary legislative body of Mesa, Arizona, consisting of a mayor and six district council members who serve four-year, staggered terms. They set city policies, adopt the annual budget, pass ordinances, and make land-use and zoning decisions. The council also appoints key officials, such as the City Manager and Police Chief, to oversee city operations. For 2026 the City Council decides how to spend $2.79 billion.

Some Current Examples
  • Whether to let Planned Parenthood apply for a $20,000 grant from the Ak-Chin Indian Community (two council members recently voted “no”).
  • Open and complete the Sunaire project, a 64-unit Mesa transitional housing development for families, seniors, and domestic violence survivors, located near E. Main St. and Power Rd. which has used roughly $14 million in federal and Maricopa County grants, but after a 2026 recall election resulted in a new member backed by Turning Point, the project has been cancelled despite needing only a final $430,000 funding vote to pay to furnish the 64 rooms. 
  • City-wide law to force restroom use according to sex at birth.
  • Imposition of landing fees at Falcon Field.
  • Managing and funding the Mesa transit system.
  • Use of $3.7 million Federal grants (the Mayor and some Council Members want to redirect monies from programs benefiting low- and moderate-income people away from social programs to services such as code enforcement and blight removal) .
  • Construction projects such as for new Data Centers.

What Would Danny Do?

I would allow Planned Parenthood to apply for funds without City interference, approve the final $430,000 to open Sunaire, reject any law to force restroom use according to sex at birth, closely monitor Falcon Field for any negative effects from the landing fees and be flexible to meet any problems (a federal lawsuit is pending which may prohibit such fees), support funding for and extension of mass transit (to help low and moderate income families and workers I would push to have discounted or free use based on income level), use Federal grants as they are intended, to benefit low and moderate income people rather than to make things look "pretty", and lastly, I currently oppose any new Data Centers in Mesa.

You may have seen our diminutive signs on a few intersections around Mesa next to the numerous massive signs of our opponents. We have very little funds compared to the other candidates since we do not accept donations from anyone profiting from business with the City. Ours cost $6 installed by volunteers, theirs cost $100+ professionally installed. When you see their signs (or expensive TV ads), please ask yourself, "who is funding those and what do they require from their candidate in return"?