Thursday, October 19th, 2006...12:46 pm
Walkup to Run for a Third Term
Mayor Bob Walkup filed papers last week to run for a third term. It suprised me, but that may be because I have been paying attention to the other races and my Revs are in the MLS playoffs.
It suprised me because Walkup is now part of a minority on the council: he’s the only Republican and his only regular ally is independent Carol West. I don’t know why he would want to run again unless he forsees a Republican sweep in next year’s election, or a series of pro-buisiness Democrat wins in the primaries.
Had Walkup decided not to run, the Republicans would have been hard pressed to find a candidate with his vote getting ability in this mostly Democratic city. The Democratic names that have been mentioned as candidates are Councilmembers José Ibarra and Steve Leal, along with former Vice-Mayor Brent Davis.
Davis, who represented the Northeast Side Ward 2 until 1987, has remained active in civic affairs. It seems, however, that his candidacy was premised on Walkup not running.
No fair doing this while I wasn’t looking, though.
8 Comments
October 19th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Am I really the first one to suggest a Draft Patty Weiss for Mayor Movement?
October 19th, 2006 at 2:13 pm
No…that would be Art Jacobsen.
October 19th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Hmmmm that is interested. The Weiss for mayor possibility. I’m not sure if I would prefer someone who knows a ton about the inner workings of city and county government issues (eg., Leal, Ibarra) or if I wanted someone who doesn’t (Weiss).
The reality of this move by Walkup, however, is a very probable win by him. Unless the record is more tarnished than I believe, he has shown himself to be likeable and moderate.
Last, is Mayor a big enough stage for Patty Weiss…really?
October 19th, 2006 at 2:45 pm
And another thing…
How would Weiss do in a primary versus a Leal or Ibarra. Both known inside party circles, both likely to draw committed Democrat voters that turn out in primaries.
Although, Patty’s endorsement of Giffords was a start. If she is considering this at all, I am betting you should be seeing her at a lot of Demo meetings, making friends, helping candidates to win, throwing support (financial and volunteer) behind candidates, etc.
If she is not doing this, remember this…name recognition is NOT enough to win a primary.
October 19th, 2006 at 4:28 pm
Steve Leal has earned his shot in a race for Mayor. He is diligent, well-informed, and extraordinarily knowledgeable about municipal governance in theory and practice, and about Tucson and its municipal governance in particular. He is responsive to constituents, and he has backbone.
Also, after the go-around for mayor, I think it’s highly unlikely he’ll accept efforts to elbow him out in the early phases of the campaign.
October 19th, 2006 at 5:17 pm
Randall,
I totally agree with you about Steve Leal. He is articulate, accessible, and he knows his stuff. He would be an excellent mayor.
As for Weiss, does anyone really think she would settle for mayor of Tucson when she had her sights set on the House of Representatives? For one thing, the issues are completely different. If your goal is to affect foreign policy and national health care, then why would you try to get there via municipal government?
Of course, there is Pete Wilson who was a California state assemblyman, then mayor of San Diego, then a US Senator, then governor of California (and Republican all the way.) I always thought that his rise from mayor to US senator was meteoric even though he had been mayor for over 10 years. He was a good mayor, as I recall.
Well, who knows? I guess that one just never thinks of being mayor of Tucson as any kind of stepping stone.
October 19th, 2006 at 11:32 pm
What are Ibarra’s accomplishments? What qualifies him to be mayor? Doesn’t he still have that money “loss” from his office hanging over him OR has that issue already been dealt with?
Is this the best Tucson has to offer for its highest position?
Is there anyone out there who wants to run who has intelligence, reasonableness, a positive vision, creative-thinking abilities, strong work ethic AND the guts to be honest about Tucson’s fiscal situation?
October 20th, 2006 at 6:34 am
Ok…I need education…
Why would Bob Walkup be a bad choice to stay as mayor?
Best,
Roger
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