FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Flagstaff City Council candidate Drew Stanley has withdrawn from the November 2026 election, according to the City of Flagstaff.
Stanley submitted an official statement of voluntary withdrawal to the Flagstaff City Clerk, formally ending his campaign for a seat on the Flagstaff City Council.
However, voters will still see Stanley’s name on their ballots.
According to the city, ballots are already being printed and Stanley’s name cannot be removed. Any votes cast for Stanley will not be counted. Notifications advising voters of his withdrawal will also be posted at polling locations.
Stanley, 22, had campaigned as a younger voice for the Flagstaff community, highlighting affordability, greater public involvement in city decision-making and maintaining Flagstaff’s character and natural surroundings among his priorities.
On his campaign website, Stanley described having deep roots in Flagstaff, saying some of his earliest memories include growing up in the community, walking in the forest with his family and attending preschool in the same apartment complex where he currently lives.
A significant part of Stanley’s campaign centered on the challenges younger residents face trying to remain in Flagstaff. He argued that raising a family and building a life in the city has become increasingly out of reach for many people and said he wanted to bring a younger perspective to City Council discussions.
Stanley also made government transparency and public participation part of his campaign platform, saying residents should have a greater opportunity to be involved when city decisions are being made.
His campaign had received endorsements from Arizona Legislative District 7 State Senate candidates Kyle Nitschke and Haley Creighton. Both endorsements highlighted Stanley’s interest in public policy and the perspective he would bring as a younger candidate.
The City of Flagstaff did not provide a reason for Stanley’s withdrawal in Tuesday’s announcement.
Because his withdrawal comes after ballots entered the printing process, voters should remember that while Drew Stanley will still appear as a City Council candidate on the November ballot, votes cast for him will not be counted.
Additional information about Stanley’s now-ended campaign and the positions he ran on remains available on his campaign website.
Stanley4Flagstaff campaign website
