One term Ward 1 Tucson Councilmember Regina Romero may have two opponents in the Democratic primary on August 30 — Joe Flores, a businessman and Marcia Ortega, who works in the social service field. Both challengers have filed paperwork to run with the Tucson City Clerk, but the deadline for petition signatures is June 1, 2011 at 5 p.m.
Romero was the first Latina elected to the Tucson City Council in 2007, and is the co-founder of Las Adelitas, an organization “to mobilize Latinas and their families”.
Ward 1 Councilmember Regina Romero
Flores is a local businessman, and owner of Flores Nacional. His father was a pharmacist and owner of Farmacia Flores in the downtown barrio. Joe has been active in numerous community organizations (Optimist Club, Marine Corp League, Los Charros de Tucson, Caballos Bailadores, the American Legion, the Forty and Eight Societe, and the Elks Club), and is currently Vice President of the Rose Neighborhood Association.
Joe Flores
His campaign chair is Jesse Lugo, who also ran for City Council in the past (2001).
Flores’ campaign website is www.joefloresforcouncil.com.
Ortega is also a local Tucsonan and political newcomer, the Director of Employment/Vocational Services at COPE Community Services, a nonprofit organization that helps people with mental illnesses and substance abuse. She has been active in politics since elementary school, as a Pueblo High School senator for DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), and also through her family.
Her grandfather, Guillermo Grajeda was a pitcher for the Tucson Cowboys, and recently passed away on October 27, 2010. Ortega’s campaign website is http://www.marciaortega4council.com/.
Marcia Ortega
Stay tuned to see who will challenge Councilwoman Romero in the Democratic primary in her re-election bid. She is married to Ruben Reyes, District director of Congressman Raul Grijalva’s Tucson office, and they have two children. Her campaign website is www.votereginaromero.com.
Romero’s kick off fundraiser for the Ward 1 Council seat is coming up on February 24, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Riverpark Inn, 350 S. Freeway. The event is free, and campaign donations will be accepted.
And for more updates on this Ward 1 Council race, stay tuned or log onto Three Sonorans’ “Desert, Science & Hot Dogs” blogsite here at Tucsoncitizen.com.
2/22/11UPDATE: Challenger Marcia Ortega withdraws from this race due to problems with voter registration:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/community/2011/02/22/marcia-ortega-withdraws-from-ward-1-council-race/
