John Backer, the Republican candidate for Pima County District 2 Supervisor, wants to put the “public” back in public service.

Originally from Tennessee, the lifelong Republican came to Tucson in 1984 to serve as an aircraft electrician. Since then, he’s had 30 years of experience working in technology, where he says he gained the ability to solve and understand complex problems. 

Now, he’s working on being elected as District 2 Supervisor and beating his rival, Democratic incumbent Matt Heinz. 

In addition to his regular campaign website, Backer created a second website titled “MissingMatt.com” that showcases the frequent absences of Heinz. According to the website, Heinz has been absent for 20% of the board of supervisor meetings in 2024 alone. 

Tucson Spotlight reached out to Heinz, but didn’t receive a response.

“(Heinz) said that as a doctor, he works 12 hours in the evening,” Backer told Spotlight. “Well, I just don’t see how anyone could do a good job being a county supervisor with two full-time jobs, including one that’s as demanding as being a doctor.”

To Backer, proper communication from supervisors is a chief issue in Pima County. He says if he’s elected, he’ll support returning to the prior three-minute rule for community members to speak during supervisors meetings.

The rule was changed last summer in an attempt to address the often volatile and hours-long call to the public sessions. Supervisors voted 3-2 to limit call to the audience to one hour, shortening each person’s time to speak from three to two minutes if more than 20 speakers are signed up.

“I think our supervisors, our county supervisors, are paid well,” he said. “The people who pay their salaries deserve to be heard, right?” 

After serving eight years on the Sahuarita Planning and Zoning Commission, Backer is used to being in meetings with rooms full of people. He said he’s always believed in providing opportunities for anyone who wanted to speak. Regardless of how long they had to be there, it was important to be there for citizens. 

But, more fluid communication from the board of supervisors isn’t the only room for improvement Backer sees within Pima County. He highlighted homelessness, the increased cost of housing and fentanyl as pervasive problems within the community. 

“There’s nothing humane about leaving people on the streets and addicted to drugs,” he said. “Which I believe the majority of those folks are.”

Backer said that “tough love” is part of his solution to this issue, citing enforcing laws that are already on the books and giving homeless people the option of getting treatment or spending time in jail. 

“Hopefully, we can guide them to a situation where they can truly get better and be productive members of society,” he said. 

When talking about the fentanyl issue in Pima County, Backer brought up the concept of “Fentanyl tourism,” saying that people come here specifically for that purpose.

“People come here for fentanyl … because the pills are plentiful, they’re cheap and they’re won’t be any consequences coming here to do fentanyl,” he said. “They won’t be prosecuted.”

In addition to addressing these countywide issues, Backer also wants to fix problems within his own district – which covers Sahuarita, all the way up to Broadway and east of the interstate.

While he believes part of the district is impacted by homelessness and fentanyl, he considers parks and recreation, roads and public safety the issues county government should be most focused on in District 2.

“If we take care of those three things … our residents will feel safe and secure and happy with the taxes they’re paying,” he said. “Businesses will feel the same.”

Backer said his role as supervisor would be more than just showing up and voting “yes” or “no,” adding that the pre-work is a key part and essential for supervisors to understand the items coming before them in order to make an informed decision. 

“Another key thing about communicating with the public is being out in the public meetings, events and so forth,” he said. “Certainly speaking to people, but more importantly, listening to people.”

When it comes to his experience and qualifications for the role, Backer is confident he’s prepared.

He has a master’s degree in information technology, a bachelor’s degree in business, and two associate degrees, including one from Pima County Community College.

But Backer said education is just “a piece of the pie.” He’s also been a Cubmaster for  Boy Scouts, coached youth sports and helped out with Habitat for Humanity. 

“I think I’ve built a very good name for myself, with people across the spectrum of every political persuasion,” he said. 

Like he learned throughout his career in technology, Backer believes the kinds of complex problems Pima County is grappling with can be solved. People can disagree without being disagreeable, he said, and listening may be the most important part of the solution.

“There’s a phrase I’ve frequently used,” he said. “God gave us two ears and one mouth, therefore we should listen twice as much as we speak.”

Olivia Krupp is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at oliviakrupp@arizona.edu.

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