Comments on: City of Tucson elections (personality or party?)

By: Carolyn Classen

Carolyn Classen — Sat, 14 May 2011 14:59:35 +0000

Now that Darcy (I, former D) and Croteau (G) have entered the race for Mayor, won’t they take away votes from the Democrat who survives the August 30 primary, should there be one? And if the Republicans turn out with Independent support, the next Mayor could be a Republican again.

By: Carolyn Classen

Carolyn Classen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:30:51 +0000

Right Diana. I’ve had lots of Democrats tell me that they like what Republican Councilmember Steve Kozachik has done so far in his year/half on the City Council. He didn’t win in Ward 6 in 2009, but he won city-wide to upset former CouncilwomanTrasoff.

By: Diana Rhoades

Diana Rhoades — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:03:18 +0000

Thanks for the informative article. I think personality has a lot to do with elections and I think Tucsonans will vote for both Republicans and Democrats. Too bad the state elections are predominantly Republican. Jonathan Paton should have passed a bill to make state elections nonpartisan!

By: Carolyn Classen

Carolyn Classen — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:51:51 +0000

Thanks Michael for commenting. As you know a stronger Mayor was proposed in Prop. 401 last year but it was tied to the huge pay raises for the Mayor/Council and was thereby defeated, 56.08% (71,700 votes) to 43.92% (56,149 votes).

By: Michael Bryan

Michael Bryan — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 01:20:25 +0000

I think you’ll find that when GOP voters are activated strongly and Independents are trending Republican, the Republicans can be elected in just about Ward because of the city-wide general elections. I don’t think Dems think much of the Mayorship unless their is a GOP plurality that the Mayor’s vote can put over the top. If we had a strong Mayor system without a strong city manager, then you would see much more interest from Dems.