Ward 6 is heating up with six candidates vying for the seat. Among them are Bruce Wheeler, a seasoned politician, and Jim Sinex, a former science teacher at Tucson High. They’re now joining four other hopefuls in the race to represent this Midtown area.
There’s no incumbent this time since Councilmember Karin Uhlich is stepping down. Uhlich, who had served Ward 3 before briefly holding the Ward 6 seat after Steve Kozachik’s resignation, is not running again.
Wheeler has deep roots in Tucson politics, winning his first election to the Arizona House of Representatives in 1974 at just 26 years old. He reminisced about losing his reelection by a mere 15 votes in 1976. Since then, he has served on the Tucson City Council and returned to the Arizona Legislature after a break. His motivation for running again stems from his frustrations with national politics, particularly after Trump’s reelection. He stated, “There are important local issues we need to tackle.”
Some of those issues include water resources, public safety, and utility lines. He criticized the current City Council for its proposed half-cent sales tax increase while they eliminated bus fares, which he argued cost the city $13 million annually. For him, public safety and housing issues should take precedence.
Sinex, on the other hand, has his sights set on improving the electoral system in Tucson. He feels the current setup—where candidates run in wards for the primary and citywide for the general—needs reform. He believes involving voters in discussions about these changes is essential.
Despite the odds, it’s not impossible for a Republican to win a City Council seat. The last Republican victor was Kozachik in 2009, who later switched to the Democratic Party. Sinex’s focus on election reform highlights a broader concern, as voters previously rejected changes to the city’s election system.
The primary on August 5 will be competitive, with candidates needing to submit nominating petitions soon. Another Democrat in the race, Miranda Schubert, recently hosted a launch party where she emphasized her vision of safer streets and affordable housing. With past involvement in the city’s Board of Adjustment and advocacy for bike lanes, she’s eager to represent her community. She previously ran for the Ward 6 seat in 2021.
Theresa Riel, a retired math teacher, is also in the mix, citing her community work as preparation for the City Council. She plans to engage with residents to understand their needs better.
Charlie Verdin, known for his business selling gaming merchandise, is concerned about rising housing costs. He aims to be accessible to residents and offer solutions to their concerns. Leighton Rockafellow Jr., a personal injury attorney, is also running, highlighting the importance of adapting Tucson’s development and infrastructure for the future.
In Ward 5, four Democrats are competing to replace Councilman Richard Fimbres, who has decided not to run again. Jesse Lugo, one of the candidates, vows to focus on public safety and residents’ concerns while maintaining a commitment to community service. He has garnered support from F. Ann Rodriguez, a longstanding figure in local politics.
Selena Barajas and Christopher Elsner are also in the race, focusing on issues like housing and climate resilience. Barajas brings experience in transportation planning, while Elsner emphasizes the need to address various community concerns.
In Ward 3, Councilman Kevin Dahl seeks a second term but has a potential challenger in Alma Gordon, an organizational consultant. Dahl feels confident in his work and achievements thus far, aiming to continue serving the community.
No Republican candidates have announced their participation yet, but the local GOP leader expects to have candidates for each ward despite their registration disadvantage.
Tucson’s elections are set for odd-numbered years, with the last city elections taking place in 2023.
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