2011 Tucson mayoral election

The Tucson, Arizona mayoral election of 2011 occurred on November 8, 2011 to select the next mayor of Tucson, and occurred simultaneously with the elections to the Tucson City Council wards 1, 2 and 4.[1] Although not term-limited,[1] incumbent mayor Bob Walkup did not run for re-election,[2] leaving Tucson's chief executive office open and competitive, with seven candidates filing to run in the race.[3]

Tucson, Arizona mayoral election, 2011

November 8, 2011 (2011-11-08)

Nominee Jonathan Rothschild Rick Grinnell Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 46,733 33,932 Percentage 54.96% 39.91%

Mayor before election Bob Walkup Republican Elected Mayor Jonathan Rothschild Democratic

Background

Because elections in Tucson are partisan in nature, party primaries were held on August 30, 2011.[3]

Current Republican Mayor Bob Walkup did not run for re-election to a third term. Traditionally, Tucson is a Democratic stronghold with its position as a university town and its large Hispanic American population (41.6% of the city's population according to the 2010 Census).[4] Thus, a change of party control of the mayoralty was seen as a strong possibility.

For the first time in Tucson, all of the elections (mayor and city council) were conducted via mail, due to a decision by the city council in April.[5]

Nominations

Primaries for the Democratic. Green, Libertarian, and Republican parties were held August 30, 2011.[6]

Democratic primary

Originally political newcomer Marshall Home had registered to challenge incumbent Jonathan Rothschild.[3]

Democratic primary results[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jonathan Rothschild	26,911	96.94
	Democratic	Write-in	848	3.06
Turnout			27,766

Green primary

Green primary results[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Green	Mary DeCamp	369	70.69
	Green	Dave Croteau	127	24.33
	Green	Write-ins	26	4.98
Turnout			522

Libertarian primary

Libertarian primary results[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Libertarian	Write-in	83	100.00
Turnout			83

Republican primary

Republicans nominated Rick Grinnell

Republican primary results[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Write-in	9,687	100.00
Turnout			9,687

Independent candidates

Originally, Pat Darcy had registered to run as an independent.[3]

Write-in candidates

• Joseph Maher Jr.[3]

General election

Tucson mayoral election, 2011[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jonathan Rothschild	46,733	54.96
	Republican	Rick Grinnell	33,932	39.91
	Green	Mary DeCamp	4,198	4.94
	Write-in	Write-ins	164	0.19
Total votes			85,027	100.00

References

1. "About City of Tucson Elections" | http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/clerks/about-city-tucson-elections | accessed June 2, 2011
2. Nintzel, Jim (February 22, 2011). "Mayor's Race 2011: Walkup's Out, Asta's In". Tucson Weekly. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
3. Bodfield, Rhonda (June 1, 2011). "Seven file by deadline seeking Tucson mayor's job". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
4. Zepeda, Alyson. "Arizona's Hispanic population grows in the 2010 Census. http://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/news/top_stories/arizona-s-hispanic-population-grows-in-census/article_2c0b0a18-50dd-11e0-bff5-001cc4c002e0.html. Third paragraph. Date accessed: June 2, 2011
5. "City elections coming soon". http://www.fox11az.com/news/politics/City-elections-122686509.html Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine. Last paragraph. Date accessed: June 2, 2011.
6. "Election Summary Report City of Tucson Primary Election 2011 Summary For Jurisdiction Wide, , All Races Official Canvass August 30, 2011" (PDF). City of Tucson. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-12-13. Retrieved 2012-01-06.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)