Monday, December 22nd, 2008...12:44 pm
Leal Not Running
Long time Tucson City Councilmember Steve Leal has announced that he is not running for re-election. Leal has served on the council since defeating Roy Laos in 1989.
This will open up a scramble among South Side politicos which for political junkies will be a watered down substitute for the meal that they would have had from the now closed possibility of a special election in CD 7.
As for candidates, Sunnyside Schoolboard member Magdalena Barajas is a strong possibility. Full disclosure: I was capped as a goalkeeper three times for her indoor soccer team, so I am a bit biased. Republicans have been unwilling to take on Leal, but with an open seat and our quirky election system, look for them to recruit a candidate.
UPDATE: A correspondent wanted me to mention that another likely candidate is longtime community activist Richard Fimbres.
This is the release from Leal’s office:
After a great deal of thought and conversations with friends and family, I have decided to not seek a 6th term as the Ward V representative on the Tucson City Council.
I am extremely grateful for the trust and many partnerships I have been given to work on around issues and projects with our wonderful Tucson community over the past years. I have been given an opportunity and privilege few can truly imagine. Now I need to do some things for my family and myself at this time.
I will continue to work in the community around issues of sustainability, civil rights and the arts. Let me end by thanking all the Tucsonans we partnered with, my elected colleagues who work so hard, city staff and, in particular, my wonderful Ward V staff, Barbara Jordan, Mary Fimbres, Abe Marques, Mark Kerr, Melinda Jacobs and Tony Novelli for their commitment to real community.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
8 Comments
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
It may be watered down, but a junkie will get his or her fix when and where they can. Besides, things may not end up being as watered down as they normally are for city elections with the budget issues facing the city. It will be interesting to see how folks running for an open seat have to say about decisions that the current council have made/will make.
And don’t forget, this could be the last PARTISAN election for Tucson city council. Herr Paton is out to make sure that the legislature takes the joy out of city politics. (and I believe that he resides outside of the city limits.)
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:39 am
Lots of Dems will run in the September primary for this Ward 5 Council seat.
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:26 am
Carol, that is good news for political junkies and paid campaign workers!
December 25th, 2008 at 12:38 am
azw88,
Believe what you want. I live within the City of Tucson (about 3 miles from where I was born) and have most of my life.
Jonathan Paton
December 25th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Sorry, I was misinformed. But that still doesn’t make you right about changing how we elect our city council.
December 25th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Isn’t “local control” a fundamental precept of both American democracy and the Republican Party? As a city that operates under a charter, Tucson should have the right to determine its own methods of governance and election. It is inappropriate and insulting for the Legislature to dictate to the city on these points. Sen.-elect Paton is a thoughtful and hardworking legislator, but he is way off base in making this proposal.
December 26th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Great comment Rex, though I actually believe that something can be said for non-partisan city elections, however, the people have already spoken on this one. Perhaps a time will come when local intiative can be passed in Tucson, calling for non-partisan elections. At this time however, I must say it is inappropriate to change rules on behalf of Tucson, when Tucson already voted this down.
December 27th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Paul, you’re absolutely right. Municipal decisions rarely have a partisan basis. I have also agreed with past criticisms of the fact that ward council members are nominated by the parties in their wards, yet run citywide in the general election. However, any changes to those conditions should be made by the people via the charter amendment process. Sen.-elect Paton’s rather transparent proposal casts a partisan tinge on what should be a more substantive discussion and debate.