Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy to Confront Democratic Rival in High-Stakes Saturday Forum

This weekend marks a pivotal moment in local politics as Republican Steve Christy faces off against Democratic contender Vanessa Bechtol for a seat on the Pima County Board of Supervisors. Christy, the only Republican on the board, is defending his position in District 4, which consists of Tucson’s East Side, Mount Lemmon, and parts of Saguaro National Park. This district leans Republican, with 36% of voters registered with the GOP, though it also includes a significant number of independent voters.

Bechtol, who is currently with Visit Tucson, aims to leverage recent Democratic successes in the district. Statewide elections in 2022 saw notable victories for Democrats, including Sen. Mark Kelly and Gov. Katie Hobbs, which could provide a favorable backdrop for her campaign. Her team is optimistic that she can woo enough independents and dissatisfied Republicans to challenge Christy, a two-time incumbent.

A public forum hosted by the League of Women Voters will feature both candidates this Saturday, August 17, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Murphy-Wilmot Library. Also attending will be Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, the current board chair, alongside her independent challenger Val Romero. This forum will shed light on critical issues facing the county.

A series of upcoming forums will provide voters with further opportunities to engage with candidates. On August 22, candidates for three seats on the Tucson Unified School District Board will convene at the YWCA Southern Arizona from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson.

On August 24, the forum will focus on candidates for Pima County Treasurer and Recorder. Treasurer Chris Ackerley, a recent appointee, will face Democrat Brian Johnson, while Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly contends with newcomer Dominic Campbell-Gonzales. This forum will take place from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Valencia Library.

As the election season progresses, more forums are scheduled, including discussions for various Pima County Board of Supervisors seats on August 31 and a debate for the Arizona Corporation Commission on September 3. The latter involves three Democrats and three Republicans, reflecting ongoing discussions around clean energy policies.

Voter engagement continues to be vital. Key dates include October 7 for voter registration, October 9 for early ballot distribution, and November 5, which marks Election Day.