Ziegler Clinches Victory in Marana Town Council Race by a Nail-Biting 14 Votes

Pima County has officially concluded its final election of 2024, confirming the results of a closely contested race. Marana Councilwoman Roxanne Ziegler secured her position, defeating opponent Melissa Zupi by a mere 14 votes following a mandated recount.

The recount, triggered because the candidates were separated by less than half a percent of the total votes, revealed totals of 6,893 for Ziegler and 6,879 for Zupi. Despite fluctuations in specific precincts, the overall count remained unchanged from the initial tally.

“The changes result from the adjudication process when the tabulator cannot read a ballot,” explained Pima County Elections Director Constance Hargrove in correspondence with Marana Town Clerk David Udall. Adjudicators are responsible for interpreting voter intent and ensuring that ballots are accurately cast based on their evaluations.

Ziegler celebrated her victory on August 7 through a heartfelt message on Facebook, expressing gratitude for her supporters. “Thank you for your unwavering support, your kind words, encouragement, and passion throughout my campaign,” she stated. “I will dedicate myself to the residents of Marana, drawing on my many years of experience and leadership to ensure our town continues to flourish and prosper.”

In the election, two seats were contested on the Marana Town Council. Challenger Patrick Cavanaugh emerged as the front-runner, receiving 7,091 votes, significantly outpacing the other candidates.