Tourism Leader Bechtol Aims for Shocking Victory Over Pima County Supervisor Christy

Vanessa Bechtol, currently an executive at Visit Tucson, is now vying for the District 4 supervisor seat in Pima County, challenging incumbent Steve Christy, the lone Republican on the five-member Board of Supervisors. Bechtol, who has dedicated her career to promoting Tucson to tourists worldwide, believes it’s time to extend her advocacy to local governance.

In her own words, “When I saw a need to step up, I stepped up out of my comfort zone and stepped up to continue to build community and be a strong advocate for neighborhood investments, infrastructure investments, the things we’re not seeing from our current leadership.” This marks her initial foray into the political realm.

Bechtol, a Tucson resident for 28 years, arrived in the city as a college student. Seeking warmth away from her foggy Northern California home, she found her place at the University of Arizona. “I just really fell in love with the people and the culture and our history and our natural environment,” she reflected on her journey in Tucson.

After earning her master’s degree in planning, she became the executive director of the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Area Alliance in 2007. Under her leadership, the nonprofit worked to elevate communities along the Santa Cruz River and was instrumental in securing Tucson’s UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation. Bechtol also advocated for congressional recognition of the region as a national heritage area, a feat accomplished in 2019 after her departure.

Her experience emphasized the value of “regional collaboration” while navigating interests among diverse stakeholders, including local jurisdictions and tribes. “It’s important to understand how to effectively communicate with people from different backgrounds, with different interests, and listening and trying to find common ground to solve problems,” she stated.

Transitioning to Visit Tucson in 2016, Bechtol has focused on fostering partnerships with over 500 local businesses. Her role ensures that visitors receive the best possible experiences during their stay, thereby encouraging repeat tourism. “We work with them to make sure that we’re supporting their business,” she explained, highlighting the importance of community engagement in tourism.

As she embarks on her campaign as the first Democrat to contest the District 4 seat, which encompasses areas like Tucson’s East Side and Saguaro National Park East, she faces a challenging electoral landscape. Currently, 36 percent of district voters are registered Republicans, compared to 31 percent Democrats. Nevertheless, Bechtol is gaining traction, reportedly outpacing Christy in fundraising for the second quarter of 2024.

From April 1 through June 30, Bechtol raised $43,682, bringing her total campaign funds to $50,481, with $45,354 remaining. In contrast, Christy raised just $3,170 during the same period, finishing with $34,014 left in his campaign account. New finance reports are anticipated by October 15.

Despite the uphill battle, Bechtol draws inspiration from the 2022 election results where Democrats won significant races in District 4. She has secured the services of Uplift, the political consulting firm that aided Pima County Supervisor Rex Scott’s historic victory in District 1 in 2020. Bechtol believes that dissatisfaction with Christy’s leadership will resonate with voters.

“As a county supervisor, your responsibilities are to be present and engaged with your constituents, with your colleagues on the board, with county staff,” she asserted. “It’s not just a seat and a title.” As the campaign unfolds, Bechtol’s commitment to community advocacy will be put to the test.