Gregory John Stanton is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Arizona's 4th congressional district since 2019. A Democrat, Stanton was born on Long Island, New York, and grew up in Arizona after his family relocated there. He graduated from Cortez High School in west Phoenix, earned a B.A. magna cum laude in history and political science from Marquette University, and received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1995.
Before Congress, Stanton built a substantial record in Phoenix civic life. He served on the Phoenix City Council from 2000 to 2009, representing a district that included the affluent Biltmore and Arcadia areas. From 2009 to 2011 he served as Deputy Attorney General of Arizona under Terry Goddard, working on cartel funding interdiction, predatory payday lending enforcement, and mortgage fraud. In 2011 he was elected mayor of Phoenix, becoming one of the city's most prominent Democrats. He was reelected in 2015 and recognized by Governing magazine as a Public Official of the Year in 2017 for expanding light rail, bike lanes, and sidewalks while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Stanton resigned as mayor in May 2018 to run for the congressional seat being vacated by Kyrsten Sinema, who was running for U.S. Senate. He won the open seat with 61% of the vote and has been reelected three times since. His margins have narrowed in recent cycles: after winning comfortably in 2018 and 2020 with roughly 61% each time, he won 56% in the redrawn AZ-04 in 2022 and 53% in 2024 against the same Republican opponent, Kelly Cooper.
In Congress, Stanton serves on the Foreign Affairs and Transportation and Infrastructure committees, and chairs the New Democrat Coalition's Immigration Task Force. He has been a reliable progressive vote on social policy while maintaining a moderate economic profile consistent with the New Democrat Coalition. Notably, in July 2024 he became one of the first House Democrats to publicly call for President Biden to withdraw from the presidential race.
Mainstream Liberal
Committee Assignments
Caucus Memberships
Achievements
- Served as mayor of Phoenix from 2012 to 2018, overseeing a major expansion of light rail, bike infrastructure, and sidewalk networks while reducing the city's greenhouse gas emissions. Named a Public Official of the Year by Governing magazine in 2017.
- As Deputy Attorney General, helped cut off cartel funding streams, fought predatory payday lending, reduced mortgage fraud, and negotiated a settlement protecting the future of Luke Air Force Base.
- Won an open congressional seat in 2018 with 61% of the vote after a campaign stressing executive problem-solving experience, and has held it through four election cycles.
- Chairs the New Democrat Coalition's Immigration Task Force, one of the most politically complex policy portfolios in the current Congress.
- Holds a Ranking Member position on the Transportation subcommittee covering economic development and public buildings, leveraging his mayoral infrastructure background at the federal level.
Controversies
- During his 2011 mayoral campaign, questions arose over the legality of nearly $70,000 in contributions handled by his former treasurer, Mindy Shields. Stanton opposed her embezzlement prosecution and fired her in October 2010.
- Initially supported extending the Phoenix food tax before reversing course in 2013, citing projections that repeal would require laying off nearly 99 police officers and 300 other city employees.
- Called on President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race in July 2024, putting him at odds with much of the Democratic establishment at the time.
- His 2024 margin narrowed significantly to 53%, against the same Republican opponent he beat by 13 points in 2022, signaling a more competitive district heading into 2026.
- His support for the Equality Act and immigration reform has drawn sustained opposition from conservative groups in what remains a swing district.
Top Donors
| # | Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Israel Public Affairs Cmte | $58,750 | $48,750 | $10,000 |
| 2 | Snell & Wilmer | $20,903 | $20,903 | $0 |
| 3 | EB5 New York State | $19,800 | $19,800 | $0 |
| 4 | Arizona State University | $17,094 | $17,094 | $0 |
| 5 | GPW & Assoc | $13,250 | $13,250 | $0 |
Amounts reflect organization-linked giving. Stanton sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, relevant to his top donor AIPAC's legislative interests.
Recent Elections
2018 General Election
Won – D +22.18%| Candidate | Results | |
|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | |
| [D]Greg Stanton✓ Winner | 159,583 | 61.09% |
| [R]Steve Ferrara | 101,662 | 38.91% |
Stanton ran for the AZ-09 seat vacated by Kyrsten Sinema, who ran for U.S. Senate.
2020 General Election
Won – D +23.02%| Candidate | Results | |
|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | |
| [D]Greg Stanton✓ Winner | 217,094 | 61.06% |
| [R]Dave Giles | 135,180 | 38.04% |
2022 General Election
Won – D +12.92%| Candidate | Results | |
|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | |
| [D]Greg Stanton✓ Winner | 148,941 | 56.01% |
| [R]Kelly Cooper | 116,521 | 43.09% |
Stanton ran in redrawn AZ-04 after redistricting.
2024 General Election
Won – D +7.29%| Candidate | Results | |
|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | |
| [D]Greg Stanton✓ Winner | 176,428 | 52.74% |
| [R]Kelly Cooper | 152,052 | 45.45% |
| [G]Vincent Beck-Jones | 6,065 | 1.81% |
Cooper ran for the second consecutive cycle; margin narrowed significantly from 2022.
Arizona uses standard plurality voting. Stanton has held AZ-09 / AZ-04 since January 2019.