Fimbres Backs Jesse Lugo for Ward 5 as Barajas Submits Petitions

Tucson City Councilmember Richard Fimbres has publicly endorsed local businessman Jesse Lugo as his successor for the South Side seat in this year’s Ward 5 election. In a letter dated March 24 and shared with the Tucson Sentinel, Fimbres expressed his support for Lugo’s candidacy.

Fimbres, who has represented the ward since 2009, announced earlier this year that he would not pursue a fifth term in office. Lugo, who has stated his intention to serve only one term if elected, plans to retain Fimbres’s staff to ensure continuity in service. “I told him: Give me a list of what you committed to neighborhoods and business,” said Lugo. He added that four years should be sufficient to accomplish local projects.

Recently, Lugo submitted his nominating petitions for the August 5 Democratic primary. With deep roots in local politics, he has previously run unsuccessfully for the Arizona House of Representatives and the Ward 5 seat. Business-wise, he built a career after starting at a Chevron service station during high school, eventually owning and operating it until 1997.

As CEO of Lugo and Associates, he now aids gas stations in fuel delivery and business planning. Lugo is actively involved in community initiatives, notably the Bike in a Box campaign, which provides bicycles to children during the holidays. He emphasizes the need for the city to prioritize essential services, stating that funding for police and fire departments should be non-negotiable according to the city charter.

Supporting Lugo’s campaign are F. Ann Rodriguez, former Pima County Recorder, and Sixto Molina, a retired police officer. They believe Lugo’s experience on various committees will benefit Ward 5. “He’s not bashful. He’ll ask a lot of questions,” Rodriguez noted.

One of Lugo’s challengers, Democrat Selina Barajas, has also submitted her nominating petitions. She expressed confidence in the community’s response to her campaign, which focuses on pressing issues like affordable housing and environmental concerns. Barajas aims to secure matching funds from the city’s publicly financed campaign program, having provided sufficient documentation to qualify.

Barajas has received endorsements from notable figures, including Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and members of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. As a University of Arizona graduate and co-founder of the Luna y Sol Cafe, she also leads a nonprofit advocating for environmental issues.

Meanwhile, several other candidates have shown interest in the Ward 5 race, including Peace Corps veteran Christopher Elsner and hip-hop artist Fabian Danobeytia. Elsner plans to focus on housing affordability and public safety, while Danobeytia has yet to finalize his nominating process.

In midtown Ward 6, Democrat Miranda Schubert has already filed her petitions, aiming to secure the seat formerly held by Councilmember Karin Uhlich. Schubert’s past experience includes advocating for bike lanes and participating in the Adjustments Board.

The upcoming elections involve intricate dynamics, particularly in Ward 3, where current Councilmember Kevin Dahl and challenger Sadie Shaw are gearing up for their political battle. Republican Janet Wittenbraker, a former mayoral candidate, is also preparing to submit her nominating petitions, aiming for a spot in the council.

As Tucson approaches the April 7 deadline for filing nominating petitions, the political landscape continues to evolve, with multiple candidates vying for critical city positions. Tucson’s unique electoral framework presents challenges, especially for Republican candidates in predominantly Democratic districts.

City elections take place in odd-numbered years, separating them from federal election cycles, ensuring a distinct political rhythm for local issues and representatives.