Pollitical newcomer Pastor Michael Navarro has pulled papers to run for the Ward 1 Council seat currently occupied by Councilmember Regina Romero (D). Navarro will be running as an Independent–Nomination Other Than by Primary (NOP) according to the Tucson City Clerk’s office and needs to get 405 signatures to qualify for this race.

Michael Navarro

Growing up on the streets of Barrio Hollywood on Tucson, Arizona’s west side, was not easy for Michael, but he decided he wanted something better than to get swallowed into a life of crime and trouble.

When Michael graduated from the University of Phoenix, he decided to attend Trinity Law School in Santa Ana, California. After graduating from law school, he moved back to his native Tucson, and began work with several different law firms as well as the Attorney General’s office.

He then began working for the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court and also acts as pastor at Westside Baptist Church.

He has a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Navarro/163916763669189
and can be reached by mnavarro@q.com. Hope to update tomorrow on Navarro’s voting record once I confirm it with the Pima County Recorder’s Office.

Councilmember Romero is running for re-election for her 2nd term, and is facing a Democratic challenger businessman Joe Flores in the August 30, 2011 primary. The winner of that primary will face off with Navarro, should he get enough signatures to qualify for the General Election on November 8. No Republican is running for this Council seat as yet.

The Mayor of Tucson and Council seats in Wards 1, 2 and 4 are up for election this year.

5/18/11 UPDATE: Navarro has been registered as a Democrat since July 19, 2007, changed to Independent on April 25, 2011, per Chris Roads (Deputy Recorder & Registrar of Voters) at Pima County Recorder’s Office.

Keeping on top of who’s in and who’s out of the race for Mayor of Tucson can be challenging with several changes last week.

As of today (May 17) with nomination petitions due 5 p.m. on June 1st to the Tucson City Clerk, here’s the current slate.

IN (in order of initial filing of paperwork with Tucson City Clerk‘s office):

–Republican Shaun McClusky, former candidate for Ward 5 Council office in 2009, chaired anti-Prop 400 sales tax campaign in 2010; a realtor, www.voteshaun.com

–Democrat Jonathan Rothschild (already submitted 3283 signatures, the maximum for his party), attorney & political newcomer; www.jonathanformayor.com

–Republican Ron Asta, former Democratic District 1 Pima County Supervisor (1972-1976), ran for Mayor in 1983 as a Democrat against Republican then-current Mayor Lew Murphy & got 36.4% of the vote; a land planner, www.ronasta4mayor.com

–Democrat Marshall Home (formerly registered as an Independent & Republican), a self-reported “multi-billionaire”, political newcomer

–Green Dave Croteau, former candidate for Pima County Sheriff (2000) and Mayor (2007– he’s the only one that challenged Mayor Bob Walkup in that race & got 28% of the vote, no Democrat or Libertarian ran); a community activist

–Independent Pat Darcy, former candidate for Mayor in the 4-way Democratic primary of 1999 (Councilmember Molly McKasson won that race over Councilmember Janet Marcus, Betsy Bolding, and Darcy– who got 8.6% of the vote–, but then Molly lost to Republican Bob Walkup, then a political newcomer); a realtor and former major league baseball player (pitcher for Cincinnati Reds)

Darcy had been considering a bid since March (click here for earlier blog) but only registered as an Independent on April 1, 2011, and took out paperwork with the City Clerk on Friday May 13, 2011 to run for Mayor. He has been registered as a Democrat since 1971 per Chris Roads (Deputy Recorder & Registrar of Voters) at the Pima County Recorder’s Office.

OUT:

–Democrat Thomas Lombardi, a hall monitor at Mt. View High School, political newcomer (withdrew)

–Green Jon McLane, a businessman & political newcomer who withdrew last week & endorsed Republican Shaun McClusky

Democratic Mayoral candidates need between 1642 and 3283 signatures, Republicans between 1060 and 2119, and Green Party candidates only 17 to 32 signatures to qualify to run for the office of Mayor.

Independents (Nomination Other Than by Primary-NOP) only qualify for the Mayoral General election ballot (no primary) but need to get 2596 signatures by June 1st. “Any registered voter can sign the petition for an NOP candidate as long as they have not already signed a petition for another candidate running for the same office” according to the 2011 Candidate Information Pamphlet issued by the Tucson City Clerk. The number of valid signatures on the NOP petition must be equal to at least 3% of the total number of registered voters who are not members of a qualified political party (Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Green) — as of 3/1/11.

Stay tuned for any other changes in the next weeks before the filing deadline. I hear other rumors of other potential candidates…and no woman is running as yet.

Greater Tucson Leadership’s Community Picnic

Saturday, May 21 · 9:00am – 12:00pm

University of Arizona Mall
Created By Greater Tucson Leadership

The Greater Tucson Leadership (GTL) organization invites Tucsonans to grab a picnic blanket, pack their favorite breakfast and come to the University of Arizona Mall on Saturday, May 21 from 9 am – Noon for Tucson’s largest community picnic, Together Tucson.

The event, hosted by GTL, has been created to tap into the community spirit and kindness that followed the January 8 shooting tragedy when strangers assembled together at the UMC memorial. Attendees can renew feelings of togetherness, and their intentions to make Tucson a better place by eating and conversing together, listening to speakers and enjoying music and entertainment.

There will be a variety of activities for children and adults, including a volunteer festival to promote community service opportunities for families and individuals. Attendees can make their own mark on Tucson with the creation of a tile to be included in a public art mosaic installation as part of a future Tucson road improvement project. The mosaic theme is “Commit to Kindness” and is a project from the Ben’s Bells organization.

The event will feature speaker, Ron Barber, Congresswoman Giffords’ staff member who was injured in the shooting. Mr. Barber will provide an update on the status of the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding, the fund he established, as well as the other memorial funds that have been created.

Dr. Peter Rhee, the UMC trauma surgeon that treated Congresswoman Giffords, will also speak about the needs and benefits of community volunteerism and leadership.

In addition to fostering community, the event will also entertain with fun for people of all ages. There will be music from Jovert, the Tucson High Steel Drum band, raffle prizes and activities for children. Attendees should plan to bring their own picnic meal and a blanket or chairs for seating.

RSVP via Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=185002324879147

Greater Tucson Leadership
E Broadway Blvd, Suite 1600
Tucson, AZ 85711

Phone: (520) 512-5485
Fax: (520) 884-7071