Yassamin Ansari
Official House portrait of Ansari smiling in front of the U.S. flag, wearing a black shirt.
Official portrait, 2025
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Arizona's 3rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2025
Preceded by Ruben Gallego
Member of the Phoenix City Council
from the 7th district
In office
April 19, 2021 – March 28, 2024
Preceded by Michael Nowakowski
Succeeded by Carlos Galindo-Elvira
Personal details
Born (1992-04-07) April 7, 1992 (age 34)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Party Democratic
Education Stanford University (BA)
St. John's College, Cambridge (MPhil)
Signature
Website House website
Campaign website

Yassamin Ansari (/ˈjɑːsəmɪn ænˈsɑːri/ YAH-sə-min an-SAH-ree, born April 7, 1992)[1][2] is an American politician and climate policy advocate who serves as the U.S. representative for Arizona's 3rd congressional district since 2025. A Democrat, she previously served on the Phoenix City Council from 2021 to 2024.[3][4][5]

At the time of her election to the Phoenix City Council, Ansari was the youngest person to be elected to the council and the first Iranian American elected to public office in Arizona.[2] In 2024, she was elected to the House to succeed Ruben Gallego, who was elected in the 2024 Senate election. Ansari is also the youngest female member of Congress.[6]

Early life and education

Ansari was born in Seattle, Washington, to parents who immigrated to the United States after fleeing Iran following the Islamic Revolution.[1][2][7][8] Ansari grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona and attended Chaparral High School. In high school, she organized with the Arizona Democratic Party in support of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and worked with her mother to tutor Somali refugees.[7] Ansari attended Stanford University, and received a bachelor's degree in international relations.[7][9] During college, Ansari interned for Nancy Pelosi.[10][11]

Early career

After graduation, she was selected for The John Gardner Fellowship Program and started working in the office of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.[11] She worked as a senior policy advisor with Ban, spending a year working on the Paris Agreement, and later worked in the same role with Ban's successor, António Guterres.[3][9] She started working towards a master's degree in international relations and politics from St. John's College, Cambridge in 2016 as a Gates Cambridge Scholar, which she ultimately received.[9][11][12] She continued to be involved in promoting climate action, helping plan the Climate Action 2016 Summit, the Global Climate Action Summit, and the first U.N. Youth Climate Summit.[13][14]

Phoenix City Council

Ansari ran in a November 2020 election to fill the seat vacated by Michael Nowakowski, representing Phoenix's 7th District.[15] The top two of the five contenders in the general election, Ansari and Cinthia Estela, continued to a runoff election that took place on March 9, 2021.[10][15] Ansari took office as a council member on April 19, 2021.[16]

While in office, she created an Office of Heat Response and Mitigation.[17] It has sought to plant trees, reduce pavement heat absorption, educate residents, and distribute resources including water.[18] She helped develop a plan to promote use of electric vehicles, and advocated for the city to purchase hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric public buses.[19][20] She attended the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference with Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego, as well as the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference.[13][21][22]

Along with other Phoenix City Council members, Ansari was criticized in 2022 for using a suite at Footprint Center, a sports venue owned by the city, to watch games and concerts; following the criticism, the council voted to review its economic development efforts and consider leasing out the suite.[23][24]

Ansari resigned her City Council seat on March 28, 2024, to focus on her congressional campaign.[25] Former Hayden Mayor Carlos Galindo-Elvira was appointed to fill the remainder of her term.[26]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2024

See also: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona § District 3
Ansari in 2024

Ansari had been considered a potential 2024 contender for Arizona's 3rd congressional district.[27][28] She announced her candidacy for the seat on April 4, 2023,[2][29] and led early fundraising in the race.[5][30][31][32] In September 2023, Axios reported that Ansari and Raquel Terán would likely dominate the race.[33] Ansari raised over $325,000 in the first quarter of 2024, bringing her total raised to more than $1.35 million.[34] In August 2024, Ansari won the primary by 39 votes,[35] and won the general election in the deep-blue district, winning nearly 71% of the vote.[36]

Tenure

In November 2024, Ansari was elected the Democratic freshman class president.[37] Ansari chose to boycott Donald Trump's inauguration, choosing instead to attend a Martin Luther King Jr. Day March in Phoenix, in her district.[38] In April 2025, she joined a group of Democratic colleagues in the House in traveling to El Salvador to investigate the condition of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.[39]

Ansari appointed former congressman Jamaal Bowman from New York to serve as her chief of staff.[40]

Committee assignments

Source:[41]

  • Committee on Natural Resources
    • Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources (Ranking Member)
    • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
  • Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
    • Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation
    • Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs
  • Committee on Education and Workforce (Until September)
    • Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education
    • Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development

Caucus memberships

  • Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus[42]
  • Congressional Progressive Caucus[43]
  • Congressional Labor Caucus

Political positions

Ansari is a progressive Democrat.[44][40]

Ansari has advocated for climate action and sustainability efforts.[13]

Ansari supports labor unions and LGBTQ rights.[45]

In 2022, Ansari supported expanding temporary and affordable housing options to help address homelessness in Phoenix.[46]

Following the killing of Alex Pretti in January 2026, Ansari called for abolishing ICE.[47]

Foreign policy

Ansari had been endorsed by the pro-Israel lobby group Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI),[48] and supported continued U.S. military aid to Israel "without additional conditions" along with the expansion of the Abraham Accords during her 2024 election campaign.[49] In November 2024, Ansari criticized a proposal by Senator Bernie Sanders that would block $20 billion in arm sales to Israel amid the Gaza war, saying, "this resolution will attempt to deprive Israel of the materials needed for deterrence and defense while also accomplishing nothing to improve the situation in Gaza."[50]

In January 2025, Ansari was among a minority of House Democrats who voted for legislation rebuking and sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its officials over arrest warrants issued against Israeli leaders. Ansari said that the ICC's actions were inappropriate and "as a liberal democracy with an independent judiciary, Israel has the responsibility of investigating allegations of wrongdoing".[51]

In June 2025, Ansari expressed support for the now-defunct Iran nuclear deal and opposed U.S. military intervention in Iran.[52]

Personal life

Ansari is agnostic.[53]

According to financial disclosures, Ansari's father lent her between $250,000 and $500,000 for a condo payment.[54] Ansari's financial disclosures from October 2023 showed that she owns two properties in downtown Phoenix and made between $15,000 and $50,000 in 2023 by renting one. Ansari also estimated in the disclosure that her assets were worth between $2.5 million and $8.3 million.[55]

Awards and honors

In 2019, Ansari was selected for the Grist 50, an annual list of people taking environmental action.[14] In 2020, Ansari was selected for the Forbes 30 Under 30: Policy and Law list.[9]

Electoral history

Phoenix City Council elections

2020 general election

Phoenix City Council District 7, November 3, 2020 general election[56]
Candidate Votes %
Cinthia Estela 15,929 32.33
Yassamin Ansari 15,813 32.09
Francisca Montoya 8,897 18.06
G. Grayson Flunoy 4,301 8.73
Susan Mercado-Gudino 4,051 8.22
Write-in 282 0.57
Total votes 49,272 100.00

2021 runoff election

Phoenix City Council District 7, March 9, 2021 runoff election[57]
Candidate Votes %
Yassamin Ansari 7,850 58.33
Cinthia Estela 5,609 41.67
Total votes 13,459 100.0

2024 U.S. House election

Democratic primary

July 30, 2024 Democratic primary results[58]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Yassamin Ansari 19,087 44.6
Democratic Raquel Terán 19,045 44.5
Democratic Duane Wooten 4,687 10.9
Total votes 42,819 100.0

General election

2024 Arizona's 3rd congressional district election[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Yassamin Ansari 143,336 70.9
Republican Jeff Zink 53,705 26.6
Green Alan Aversa 5,008 2.5
Write-in 16 0.0
Total votes 202,065 100.0

References

  1. ^ a b "ANSARI, Yassamin". History, Art & Archives. US House of Representatives. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Kavaler, Tara (April 4, 2023). "Phoenix Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari running for Congress". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Phoenix City Council chooses vice mayor for 2023". Phoenix Independent. January 5, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  4. ^ "City Council District 7 Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari". www.phoenix.gov. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Fernandez, Madison (August 21, 2023). "What to expect when you're expecting (to miss the first debate)". POLITICO. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  6. ^ Eckstein, Griffin (December 29, 2024). "Congress' youngest woman says her election is a "signal" that future of Democratic Party is changing". Salon. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c Siddiqui, Daniya (August 16, 2023). "From councilwoman to congressional campaign: Vice mayor Yassamin Ansari's political journey". High School Insider. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  8. ^ Gedeon, Joseph (June 28, 2025). "'There's a significant lack of knowledge': Iranian American legislator on countries' tangled history amid conflict". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  9. ^ a b c d "Yassamin Ansari". Forbes. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Fifield, Jen; Taros, Megan (February 11, 2021). "Southwest Phoenix will decide a critical District 7 City Council race. Voting begins this week". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c Fifield, Jen. "Phoenix City Council's District 7 contenders Yassamin Ansari, Cinthia Estela talk experiences, respond to critics". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  12. ^ Thompson, Claire (June 15, 2021). "Why this U.N. climate expert ran for city council". Fix. Grist. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  13. ^ a b c Wu, Jack (March 23, 2023). "Phoenix Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari leads charge against climate change". Cronkite News – Arizona PBS. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Grist 50: 2019 Archives". Grist. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  15. ^ a b "2 Phoenix City Council seats up for grabs Tuesday in runoff election". KTAR.com. March 8, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  16. ^ Estes, Christina (April 19, 2021). "Phoenix Mayor, 4 City Council Members Sworn In Monday". KJZZ. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  17. ^ Loewe, Emma (January 24, 2023). "Can cities eliminate heat-related deaths in a warming world? Phoenix is trying". Grist. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  18. ^ Caldwell, Alicia; Carlton, Jim. "Phoenix Tries to Keep Residents Cool as Heat-Related Deaths Soar in Arizona". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  19. ^ Astor, Maggie (July 1, 2022). "As Federal Climate-Fighting Tools Are Taken Away, Cities and States Step Up". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  20. ^ Rivera, SuElen (August 19, 2022). "Phoenix granted $16.3M for public transit buses, infrastructure". KTAR.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  21. ^ Syed, Zayna. "As cities take the lead in climate action, Phoenix leaders will attend Glasgow conference". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  22. ^ Alam, Adnan (January 7, 2022). "Here's what you need to know about Phoenix's Climate Action Plan". Cronkite News – Arizona PBS. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  23. ^ Boehm, Jessica (December 19, 2022). "Phoenix council members used city suite to watch NBA Finals, concerts". Axios. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  24. ^ Boehm, Jessica (February 16, 2023). "Phoenix may ban council members from using Footprint Center suite". Axios. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  25. ^ Hahne, Greg (March 18, 2024). "Yassamin Ansari to resign from Phoenix City Council, focus on run for Congress". KJZZ. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  26. ^ Seely, Taylor (April 9, 2024). "Phoenix swears in new councilmember, former DeConcini aide and Chicanos por la Causa man". Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 10, 2024.>
  27. ^ Duda, Jeremy (January 24, 2023). "Democratic primary for open House seat left by Gallego's Senate run could get crowded". Axios. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  28. ^ "Journalist's Roundtable: Ruben Gallego runs for Senate". Arizona PBS. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  29. ^ "Phoenix Vice Mayor Ansari announces run for Congress". The Daily Independent at YourValley.net. April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  30. ^ Irwin, Lauren (July 24, 2023). "Open, targeted House seats drive fundraising as numerous hopefuls line up". Cronkite News. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  31. ^ Feinberg, Allie (August 11, 2023). "Ylenia Aguilar has suspended her congressional campaign for Rep. Ruben Gallego's seat". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  32. ^ Gibson, Brittany (July 25, 2023). "Progressive Working Families Party backs candidate to replace Rep. Ruben Gallego". POLITICO. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  33. ^ Duda, Jeremy (August 29, 2023). "Ansari and Terán likely to dominate CD3 race following Pastor's departure". Axios. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  34. ^ "ANSARI, YASSAMIN – Candidate overview". FEC.gov. January 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  35. ^ Bradley, Ben (August 20, 2024). "Ansari narrowly defeats Terán in Arizona's 3rd District Democratic primary". Arizona’s Family. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  36. ^ Sanchez, Camryn (November 6, 2024). "Former Phoenix Councilmember Ansari wins in Arizona's 3rd Congressional District". KJZZ. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  37. ^ KTAR.com, SERENA O'SULLIVAN (November 21, 2024). "Democratic freshman class president elected Nov. 20". KTAR.com. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  38. ^ Stevenson, Camaron (January 20, 2025). "Rep. Ansari skips Trump inauguration in favor of annual MLK Day March in Phoenix". Courier Newsroom. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  39. ^ Brown, Matt (April 21, 2025). "More Democratic lawmakers are visiting El Salvador on Abrego Garcia's behalf". ABC News. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  40. ^ a b Gersony, Laura (December 9, 2025). "Arizona's millennial Congress members are mirror images. What to know". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  41. ^ "Yassamin Ansari (Arizona (AZ)), 119th Congress Profile". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. January 3, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  42. ^ "119th Congress Membership | Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC)". capac.house.gov. May 1, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  43. ^ "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  44. ^ Martin, Sabine. "Raquel Terán vs. Yassamin Ansari: Which congressional candidate is more progressive?". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  45. ^ Estes, Christina (October 21, 2021). "Phoenix Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari hosts first LGBTQ+ block party". KJZZ. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  46. ^ Lum, Justin (May 25, 2022). "'City of a Thousand': Phoenix councilwoman returns to 'the zone,' optimistic about tackling homeless crisis". FOX 10 Phoenix. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  47. ^ Solender, Andrew (January 24, 2026). "Furious Democrats float national guard, government shutdown over latest Minneapolis shooting". Axios. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
  48. ^ Kassel, Matthew (June 20, 2024). "DMFI PAC wades into heated House races in New York, Phoenix, Wisconsin". Jewish Insider. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  49. ^ Kassel, Matthew (July 30, 2024). "Phoenix House race features two Democrats with differing views on Israel". Jewish Insider. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  50. ^ Weigel, Dave (November 20, 2024). "Democratic critics of Israel are still searching for their breakthrough". Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  51. ^ Gersony, Laura (January 18, 2025). "Why Rep. Yassamin Ansari voted to sanction the world's tribunal for war crimes". Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  52. ^ Gedeon, Joseph (June 28, 2025). "'There's a significant lack of knowledge': Iranian American legislator on countries' tangled history amid conflict". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  53. ^ Zoellner, Tom (November 1, 2024). "New Kids on the Bloc". Phoenix Magazine – via Newspapers.com. Ansari's grandparents fled Iran after the revolution of 1979, and she says her family generally left religious practice behind in the trauma. "I actually consider myself agnostic… I respect everyone's faith, but I do not personally practice one."
  54. ^ Gersony, Laura. "Raquel Terán attacks Yassamin Ansari as a 'millionaire landlord' in congressional debate". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  55. ^ L'Heureux, T. J. "Wonk vs. Fighter: The progressive clash for Ruben Gallego's House seat". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  56. ^ "FINAL OFFICIAL RESULTS General Election Maricopa County November 3, 2020" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 26, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  57. ^ "City of Phoenix March 9, 2021 Runoff Election Official Results" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 27, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  58. ^ "STATE OF ARIZONA OFFICIAL CANVAS 2024 Primary Election – July 30, 2024" (PDF). azsos.gov. Phoenix: Arizona Secretary of State. August 16, 2024. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 29, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  59. ^ "STATE OF ARIZONA OFFICIAL CANVASS" (PDF). azsos.gov. Phoenix: Arizona Secretary of State. November 22, 2024. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 31, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
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