Riel Exits Tucson City Council Race, Shaking Up Local Politics

Retired math teacher Theresa Riel has officially suspended her candidacy for the Tucson City Council’s Midtown Ward 6 seat. Riel expressed her decision was fueled by “sadness and frustration,” highlighting that her participation would necessitate resigning from her position on the Pima Community College Governing Board.

“Due to my commitment to the PCC Governing Board, I am stepping out of the Ward 6 race at this time. Engaging with voters through my nominating petitions has been enlightening, revealing areas within our city that require attention,” Riel stated.

The issue of dual office-holding resurfaced when the City Council appointed Rocque Perez to the Ward 5 seat, which became vacant following Richard Fimbres’ resignation. City Attorney Mike Rankin informed the Council that appointing Sunnyside Unified School Board member Robert Jaramillo to Ward 5 would force him to resign from the school board. This requirement stems from the City Charter, which prohibits council members from holding concurrent elected positions, a stricter rule than Arizona state law.

As a result, Jaramillo withdrew his application, leaving the race with fewer candidates. Riel’s exit narrows the field to three Democrats competing for the party’s nomination in the upcoming August 5 primary.

Currently, the remaining candidates are Miranda Schubert, who has previously served on the city’s Board of Adjustment; attorney Leighton Rockafellow Jr., making his political debut; and retired science teacher Jim Sinex, who advocates for changing the election system to allow candidates to run within their wards rather than citywide in general elections.

The existing system requires candidates to compete within their wards during primaries but citywide in general elections, complicating opportunities for GOP candidates due to the significant Democratic voter registration advantage in Tucson. Democrats constitute 42% of the electorate, while Republicans make up 22%, with independent voters at 36%.

Historically, Republican wins in recent decades have come primarily from heavily Democratic Wards 3 and 6. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Jay Tolkoff in the general election scheduled for November 4.