Sanders and AOC Bring the Heat to Tucson This Weekend

The Tucson political landscape is bustling with upcoming events and significant deadlines as various stakeholders prepare for crucial elections. Notably, this week will feature prominent visitors and commemorative gatherings.

On Friday, March 21, Tucson Sentinel’s Government and Political Impact reporter Jim Nintzel will participate in a discussion alongside fellow reporters from diverse outlets. This program, set to air at 8:30 p.m. on PBS 6 and NPR affiliate KUAZ-FM, aims to delve into pressing political issues. The discussion will be moderated by Steve Goldstein and is also available for streaming on the AZPM YouTube channel.

Saturday, March 22 marks a significant occasion as U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez arrive in Tucson for an event titled “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here.” Attendees can look forward to a performance by Calexico at 10:45 a.m., followed by speeches starting at 11:30 a.m. The event will take place at the Catalina High football stadium, requiring RSVP for entry.

Reporting activities continue on Monday, March 24, as Jim Nintzel appears on “Winn Tucson,” a program hosted by Pima County Republican Party chair Kathleen Winn at 10 a.m. on KVOI, 1030 AM.

A memorial service for the late U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva will be held on Tuesday, March 25, with a Rosary at St. John’s Catholic Church from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Grijalva’s funeral mass is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral, followed by a Celebration of Life at El Casino Ballroom from 2 to 6 p.m.

The media spotlight will shine again on Friday, March 28, as Nintzel joins host Bill Buckmaster for an interview with Arizona Senator Vince Leach on The Buckmaster Show, airing at noon on KVOI, 1030 AM. Following this, senior reporter Paul Ingram will also appear on the same show to discuss matters with state Rep. Nancy Gutierrez on April 4.

Several key deadlines are approaching in the political arena. On April 7, candidates must submit their nominating petitions for the Tucson City Council campaigns, a crucial step ahead of the elections. The special Congressional District 7 election, necessitated by Grijalva’s passing, has its nominating petition deadline on April 14. Voter registration for this special election closes on June 16, with early voting starting June 18.

Registration deadlines continue as voters prepare for the subsequent elections. Candidates for the Tucson primary election must register by July 8, with early voting commencing shortly thereafter. Primary Election Day for the CD7 special election is set for July 15, followed by the Tucson City Council primary elections on August 5.

The schedule concludes with the general election timeline, where General Election Day for the CD7 special election will take place on September 23, followed by the Tucson City Council races’ general election on November 4. Stakeholders and citizens alike are gearing up for an active political season in Tucson.