Republican Janet Wittenbraker Sets Her Sights on Tucson City Council’s Dahl Seat

Janet “JL” Wittenbraker, having previously lost races for Tucson mayor in 2023 and a Pima County Board of Supervisors seat in 2024, is now aiming for a position on the Tucson City Council. On Tuesday, she submitted her statement of organization to run in Ward 3, currently held by Democrat Kevin Dahl, who is campaigning for a second term.

“I would love to take an election cycle off, but I can’t stand by and let the Democratic Party run unopposed,” Wittenbraker remarked to the Tucson Sentinel. She emphasized the need for a more diverse and balanced leadership for Tucson.

In her initial foray into politics, Wittenbraker garnered 32 percent of the vote against incumbent Mayor Regina Romero. She criticized the city’s handling of its streets, housing initiatives for the homeless, and the administration’s approach to climate change resilience.

Last year, Wittenbraker faced off against Democrat Jen Allen for the District 3 seat on the Pima County Board of Supervisors, earning 43 percent of the vote.

The electoral landscape for GOP candidates in Tucson is challenging, especially following the city’s requirement that candidates run within their wards during primaries but citywide in general elections. The voter registration statistics favor Democrats, with nearly twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans citywide. Democrats account for 42 percent of voters, Republicans for 22 percent, and independents for 36 percent.

In Ward 3 specifically, there are 20,500 Democrats compared to 7,900 Republicans and 16,200 non-party-affiliated voters. To secure a spot on the November ballot, Wittenbraker needs to collect 114 valid signatures from Ward 3 voters who are not affiliated with the Democratic or Libertarian parties by April 7.

This week, Dahl gained a potential primary challenger in TUSD Board member Sadie Shaw, who aims to represent those who feel ignored and unrepresented.

Dahl, a seasoned local environmentalist and former leader of Native Seeds/SEARCH and the local Nature Conservancy, expressed his desire for a second term to continue advancing various initiatives. “I feel that the Ward 3 office and myself are reaching a good stride,” he said, highlighting his commitment to addressing constituent concerns.

Dahl announced a campaign launch party scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, at Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon and BBQ. As of February 22, he had raised a notable $22,975 for his campaign and held $20,202 in the bank after expenditures.