Pima County Election Heats Up: Candidates Clash in Upcoming Public Forums

Voters are gearing up for the Nov. 5 general election, with numerous forums planned to compare candidates for the Pima County Board of Supervisors, the Arizona Legislature, and other key positions.

These forums are organized by the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission and the League of Women Voters, among others.

Saturday, Aug. 17: A League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson forum will feature candidates for the Board of Supervisors in Districts 4 and 5. In District 4, Republican incumbent Steve Christy faces Democrat Vanessa Bechtol. In District 5, Democrat Adelita Grijalva competes with independent Val Romero. The event takes place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Murphy-Wilmot Library, 530 N. Wilmot Rd.

Thursday, Aug. 22: Candidates for three seats on the Tucson Unified School District board will discuss their campaigns. Incumbents Ravi Shah, Sadie Shaw, and Natalie Luna Rose face challengers Pilar Acosta Ruiz and Esteban Flores. This forum is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson and will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at YWCA Southern Arizona, 525 N. Bonita Ave.

Thursday, Aug. 22: Legislative District 18 House incumbents Nancy Gutierrez and Chris Mathis face Republican Leonard “Len” Rosenblum. This forum, sponsored by Clean Elections, will be held at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

Friday, Aug. 23: Legislative District 21 House incumbents Consuelo Hernandez and Stephanie Stahl Hamilton are up against Republican Christopher Kibbey. This Clean Elections-sponsored forum is also scheduled for 6 p.m. via Zoom.

Saturday, Aug. 24: A forum for Pima County treasurer and Pima County recorder candidates is planned. Republican incumbent Treasurer Chris Ackerley faces Democrat Brian Johnson. Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly faces newcomer Dominic Campbell-Gonzales. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters, this event will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Valencia Library, 202 W. Valencia Rd.

Saturday, Aug. 31: Another forum will cover candidates for Pima County Board of Supervisors in Districts 1, 2, and 3. District 1 sees Democrat Rex Scott face Republican Steve Spain. District 2 pits Democrat Matt Heinz against Republican John Backer. In District 3, Democrat Jen Allen faces Republican Janet Wittenbraker. This forum is from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Pima Community College’s Amethyst Room, 1255 N. Stone Ave.

Tuesday, Sept. 3: Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, seeking a second term, faces Republican Heather Lappin. A Clean Elections-sponsored event, this will be at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

Thursday, Sept. 5: In Legislative District 23, incumbent Sen. Brian Fernandez faces Michelle Altherr, while the House race features Democrats Mariana Sandoval and Matias Rosales against Republican Michele Peña. Another Clean Elections-sponsored forum, this will occur at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

Key dates for voters include:

• Monday, Oct. 7: Last day to register to vote for the general election.
• Wednesday, Oct. 9: Pima County mails early ballots to voters.
• Friday, Oct. 25: Deadline to request an early ballot from the Pima County Recorder’s Office.
• Tuesday, Nov. 5: Election Day.

For more information, send details about political events to news@tucsonsentinel.com.