Pledging to fight crime and preserve neighborhoods, he entered the race for Phoenix City Council and was elected in 1997 and 2001.

[9] During the 2004 campaign for Maricopa County Attorney, Gordon endorsed Republican nominee Andrew Thomas who would later be disbarred from the practice of law in Arizona for "unfounded and malicious criminal and civil charges against political opponents, including four state judges and the state attorney general.

"[10][11] Gordon has also been a staunch backer of a $1.1 billion multi-modal transportation system which was approved by 65 percent of Phoenix voters in March 2000.

[12][13][14] The Mayor has engaged in a verbal dispute with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio over issues related to illegal immigration,[15][16] opposing the controversial Arizona SB 1070 law, which he has considered to be racist and poorly drawn.

[17][18] Additionally, President George W. Bush appointed Gordon to serve on the Honorary Delegation to accompany him to Jerusalem for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel in May 2008.