Three Democratic Tucson City Council members have been re-elected.
After early ballot numbers started coming through at around 8 p.m. on Election Day, Councilwomen Regina Romero and Shirley Scott, and Councilman Paul Cunninghman, already had a decent lead over Republican challengers Bill Hunt, Margaret Burkholder and Kelly Lawton. As of 2 a.m., all ballots—early and from the polls—have been counted, showing Romero and Cunninghman each with around 57 percent of votes, and Scott with roughly 55 percent.
At last night’s Republican party, the GOP trio was hopeful, even with a few thousands votes behind. Pima County Republican Party Chairman Bill Beard said they expected ballots to be counted through the end of the week, and that the numbers weren’t final yet.
“We are optimistic. I think the people of Tucson are going to change their landscape,” Lawton told the Weekly last night, adding that he would run for a City Council seat again. “Everyone I have met, regardless of party affiliation, they wanted change. They see the same city that you and I see, and the concerns. The issues we are facing are not partisan issues. They are quality of life, standard of living issues.”
The first thing Lawton would have wanted to fix is the city’s budget, which he called a big mess. The millions in shortfall and debt, “gives you an idea of how fiscally irresponsible we are,” he said. “As a city we need to get our arms around our budget, our pension, our transit…the list goes on.
He told the crowd at the party that he, Burkholder and Hunt are committed to making life better in Tucson—that they are citizens like everyone else, interested in being surrounded by a thriving economy.
Burkholder told the Weekly she believes a lot of people are watching this race closely to decide what their future in Tucson is. If things don’t change, “I see people leaving,” she said. “Tucson is heading toward bankruptcy. We need courageous and competent decision-makers.” She, too, would run for office again.
“I look around this room and I see people who have invested in us,” she told the party goers. “There is nothing special about three people. There is something special about the synergy, when a whole bunch of people come together to support something bigger than themselves, and that is what we are trying to do.
Hunt was in and out of the party, because he had the flu and didn’t “feel well at all.” But he was also hopeful to see the poll numbers benefit the Republicans.
The voter turnout was about 27 percent. Of 564,716 registered voters in Pima County, only 155,168 participated in the election.
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4, 2015.
It’s past time this city had “ward only” elections. There is absolutely no reason someone not living in my ward voting for my representative, nor me being allowed to vote for someone else’s.
It certainly is. It may not change the results, but the people living in a particular Ward should be the ones to decide who represents them. Otherwise, what is the point of having Wards at all?
Not only election by ward but also non-partisan elections. Municipal issues aren’t inherently partisan.
What is the point of having wards when we elect city wide? We don’t let California vote in AZ elections. Ward by ward will create diversity on the council and hopefully expanded thinking. Could it be any worse than what we have now which is no representation?
Wouldnt change the results.. too many democrats who just keep putting the same “old faces” back in office…. what happened to the “change” you wanted? yeah right.
The Weekly must be breathing a sigh of relief. If this turned out where the challengers won the incumbents would be suing, demanding a recount, and appealing through the courts………as it is the simplicity of failed leadership, more debt, increase in poverty, will continue at an unchecked rate. After giving it everything I had for 35 years I left. I truly feel sorry for the hardworking folks of Tucson. They continue to work to support those handouts, corruption, and good ol’ boy back room deals by drunks on the City Council. You get the Government you deserve and the apathy with only 155,000 registered voters voting of the 564,000 registered voters is sick and insane. Where were these people. They obviously don’t care what happens to Tucson anymore. Tucson used to be a great place to live. NOT ANYMORE!
Lucky us.
It would be interesting to hear from ANYONE ONE who supports the current fixed outcome system that insures the election of Democrats in wards that are predominately Republican. If ward only elections were put into effect both parties would be forced to deal with the issues facing the city and both would be held accountable for failing to reach sensible bi-partisan solutions. On the other hand, a bipartisan city council might actually work together and improve the dismal state of the city.
As long as the Dems control the city government they are the responsible party; you’d think they would welcome an opportunity to share the blame for its decline.
That’s the problem Rick. The new leaders of the democratic party celebrate the decline as they are getting even with white entitlement. This goes all the way back to George Miller as Mayor when he blamed the city’s problems on white flight. It was actually smart flight based on their ignorance and stupidity.