City of Phoenix

Michael Nowakowski.

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge stopped the recall election of Councilman Michael Nowakowski on Tuesday.

The Urban Phoenix Project PAC collected enough signatures to force a recall election against Councilman Michael Nowakowski.

Nowakowski represents parts of downtown and southwest Phoenix.

A spokesperson for Nowakowski issued a statement via email.  

"I am pleased to hear of the judge's decision regarding the recall challenge. I thank God and greatly appreciate the support of my family and so many in the community through this process, and invite those who were working on the recall effort to meet so we can begin to work together to find ways to make Phoenix and particularly District 7 an even better place to live and have a business."

Nowakowski’s sister, Rosa Maria Morales, challenged the initiative’s validity in court, claiming the PAC didn’t follow Arizona’s strict technical rules for collecting recall signatures. Essentially, problems with the paperwork.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Rosa Mroz agreed with two of three objections and halted the recall.

The PAC, which says online it represents the interests of urbanists, could appeal the decision. KJZZ sent the organization a request for comment.