Tucson City Council Hopefuls Gather for First Forum of the Week

A series of political events is set to unfold in the Tucson area, highlighting the upcoming Democratic primary and special elections. Candidates for the Tucson City Council will gather for their first forum organized by the NAACP from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, at the Donna R. Liggins Center, 2160 N. 6th Ave. Eleven candidates have been invited to discuss their visions and engage with the community.

Three council seats in Wards 3, 5, and 6 will be contested, with ballots for the primary election scheduled to be mailed out on July 9, ahead of the August 5 vote.

In Ward 3, incumbent Kevin Dahl, a Democrat, seeks reelection after first winning office in 2021. Known for his leadership in environmental organizations, Dahl faces competition from TUSD Board member Sadie Shaw, who aims to promote effective decision-making without creating additional challenges. The winner will take on Republican Janet “JL” Wittenbraker in the general election on November 4.

Ward 5 is witnessing an open seat as Democrat Richard Fimbres steps down. Rocque Perez has been appointed to fill the vacancy but is not seeking election. Three candidates are vying for the position: Selina Barajas, who is launching her first campaign with backing from notable local leaders; Jesse Lugo, a seasoned businessman with previous political attempts; and Christopher Elsner, a Peace Corps alum making his electoral debut.

In Ward 6, four Democrats are contending for an open seat following incumbent Karin Uhlich’s decision not to run for a full term. Miranda Schubert returns for a second attempt after garnering 28% of the vote in a previous primary, while attorney Leighton Rockafellow Jr. and retired educators Theresa Riel and Jim Sinex bring diverse backgrounds to the race. Sinex advocates for changes to the election system, desiring that candidates run within their individual wards rather than citywide, addressing the challenges faced by Republicans due to a Democratic registration advantage.

The League of Women Voters will facilitate candidate forums throughout June, with specific dates and times for each ward’s discussion laid out for public participation. Additional events include debates featuring candidates in the CD7 special election following the passing of longtime Congressman Raúl Grijalva earlier this year.

Noteworthy events include a meeting with Democrat Jim Sinex on May 19 via Zoom, and debates for CD7 candidates on June 9 and 10, airing on various Arizona Public Media platforms. Candidates slated for the Democratic side include Adelita Grijalva, daughter of the late congressman, alongside several first-time candidates.

Key deadlines for the elections include voter registration cutoffs and the start of early voting periods, steering voters toward critical decision-making in local governance.