The Chandler City Council unanimously elected Council member Angel Encinas as vice mayor for a one‑year term during its Jan. 8 meeting.

Mayor Hartke nominated Encinas and the council approved the nomination with a second. "Angel Encinas would serve as our vice mayor for the year of 2026," the mayor said during the motion to appoint. The motion passed unanimously.

In remarks after the vote, Encinas thanked council members and family and said the role is especially meaningful because Chandler is his home. "This city is my home. I grew up here. I live here. I work here," Encinas said, and he said he intends to focus on youth, schools and expanding opportunity for Chandler’s roughly 290,000 residents.

Council members offered congratulations and noted the selection continues a pattern of diverse vice‑mayor selections in recent years. The council took no separate formal action beyond the vote and then proceeded with the rest of its agenda.