Spotlight on election coverage
Scroll down for links to individual stories about the various candidates, propositions and campaigns. We'll keep updating the list as we add new content.
We've published more than two dozen election-related stories since our launch, and while we have an "elections" tab on our homepage, we wanted to make it even easier to find the information you need to vote.
Scroll down for links to individual stories about the various candidates, propositions and campaigns. We'll keep updating the list as we add new content.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about your ballot? We’ve got you covered
Many people have questions about voting, as indicated by the 20-item Frequently Asked Question list on the Pima County Recorder’s website. We’ve broken down the top 10 questions that we’ve heard most frequently asked.
Caitlin Schmidt
Pima County Sheriff
We reached out to Democratic Sheriff Chris Nanos, but he didn't respond to our interview requests.
Lappin weighs in on sheriff department’s role at the border
Sheriff Chris Nanos didn’t respond to our requests for an interview, but his Republican challenger, Heather Lappin was happy to clarify her views.
Susan A. Barnett
Republican Heather Lappin
Voter Guide: Pima County Sheriff
The race for Pima County Sheriff features incumbent Democrat Chris Nanos and his challenger, Heather Lappin, a lieutenant within the department.
Kyra Faith Berg
Pima County Treasurer
Ackerley seeking first full term as Pima County Treasurer
Chris Ackerley was appointed to the position in April, following the resignation of longtime treasurer Beth Ford. He’s being challenged for the seat by Democrat Brian Johnson.
Isabela Gamez
Republican Chris Ackerley
Johnson wants to make treasurer’s office more user-friendly
Brian Johnson, a Democrat, is challenging Republican incumbent Chris Ackerley for the position, and with 14 years of experience working in the assessor’s office and county finance, Johnson believes he’s well-prepared for the role.
Isabela Gamez
Democrat Brian Johnson
Pima County Recorder
We reached out to Democratic incumbent Gabriella Cázares-Kelly and Democratic challenger Dominic Campbell-Gonzalez but didn't receive a response to our interview requests.
Pima County Supervisors
District 1
Scott highlights successes in first term as District 1 Supervisor
Rex Scott wants to continue the work he championed during his first term: economic development, job expansion and critical improvements to roads and infrastructure.
Isabela Gamez
Democrat Rex Scott
Spain seeking Pima County’s District 1 seat in 2020 rematch
The District 1 Pima County Supervisor race between Republican Steve Spain and Democratic incumbent Rex Scott is a 2020 rematch.
Isabela Gamez
Republican Steve Spain
District 2
We reached out to Democratic incumbent Matt Heinz, but didn't receive a response to our interview requests.
Backer says communication is key to solving District 2’s problems
In addition to his regular campaign website, John Backer created a second website titled “MissingMatt.com” that showcases the frequent absences of District 2 Supervisor Matt Heinz.
Olivia Krupp
Republican John Backer
District 3
Wittenbraker: New strategies needed to fix Pima County’s poverty problem
Janet “JL” Wittenbraker describes politics as something she “fell into.” But it’s her experience in city government that she says sets her apart from her opponents in the race for District 3 Pima County Supervisor.
Olivia Krupp
Republican Janet "JL" Wittenbraker
Allen’s priorities include climate, housing and rural communities
Jen Allen is running as a Democrat for the District 3 Pima County Supervisor position, facing Republican Janet Wittenbraker and Independent Iman-Utopia Layjou Bah in November’s election.
Olivia Krupp
Democrat Jen Allen
Supervisor candidate Bah wants to fix Pima County’s drug crisis
Iman-Utopia Layjou Bah, an independent, is facing Democrat Jen Allen and Republican Janet “JL” Wittenbraker in the race for the District 3 seat.
Olivia Krupp
Independent Iman-Utopia Layjou Bah
District 4
Christy eyes third term as Pima County’s lone Republican supervisor
District 4 Supervisor Steve Christy said he believes his “diversity of thought” has proven to be an invaluable asset to the community and the board of supervisors.
Caitlin Schmidt
Republican Steve Christy
Bechtol has big ideas for Pima County’s District 4
Vanessa Bechtol may be new to politics, but she has decades of experience in community and public service that she says makes her the most qualified candidate for District 4’s Pima County Supervisor seat.
Caitlin Schmidt
Democrat Vanessa Bechtol
District 5
Grijalva to prioritize education, transparency in second term
Adelita Grijalva, the daughter of longtime U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva, was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2020, breaking barriers as the first Latina elected to the position in Pima County.
Susan A. Barnett
Democrat Adelita Grijalva
District 5 candidate Romero says public safety is top priority
This isn’t Romero’s first leap into the world of politics. He’s serving his first term on the Tucson Unified School District governing board and ran and lost for a seat on the Tucson City Council in 2021.
Susan A. Barnett
Independent Val Romero
Tucson Unified School District Governing Board
Three incumbents, two challengers on ballot for TUSD governing board
Five candidates are seeking a seat on the Tucson School Board this election year, with just three seats open.
Abbie Andrus
Catalina Foothills Unified School District Governing Board
Catalina Foothills school board race features dueling candidate slates
Four candidates are seeking two four-year seats on the board, and two candidates are vying for a single two-year seat. The candidates have aligned under two tickets, asking district residents to vote them in as a slate.
Caitlin Schmidt
Vail Unified School District Governing Board
Meet the Vail School Board Candidates
Vail is one of the highest-ranking districts in Pima County, with five of its schools appearing in the top 20 on U.S. News and World Report’s list of best Tucson-area schools.
Abbie Andrus
Prop 138- Tipped Workers Protection Act
Ballot prop could reshape comp for waiters, bartenders, baristas
If you’ve driven around Tucson over the past few weeks, you may have noticed signs encouraging voters to approve Proposition 138 to save local restaurants.
Caitlin Schmidt
Prop 403- Sahuarita bond program
Breaking down the Sahuarita and South Tucson ballot measures
Sahuaurita voters will find five questions on their ballot, including Proposition 403 for a $66 million bond. Over in South Tucson, voters will be asked to approve two propositions, one for a $6 million bond.
Caitlin Schmidt
Prop 408 and Prop 409 - South Tucson
Breaking down the Sahuarita and South Tucson ballot measures
Sahuaurita voters will find five questions on their ballot, including Proposition 403 for a $66 million bond. Over in South Tucson, voters will be asked to approve two propositions, one for a $6 million bond.
Caitlin SchmidtProp 410 and Prop 411- Marana and Continental overrides
Marana and Green Valley voters to decide school district funding
Today, we’re breaking down the override questions on the ballots of voters in the Marana Unified and Continental Elementary school districts.
Abbie Andrus
Prop 412 and Prop 413- Amphi bond and override
Amphi voters to decide on bond and override measures
Neither proposition will lead to an increase in property taxes in the district, and the bond, if passed, will actually cause the district tax rate to decrease.
Caitlin Schmidt
Campaign visits
Dueling VP visits highlight stark contrast in campaigns
Early voting kicked off in Pima County Wednesday, and thousands of community members marked the occasion by rallying with their vice presidential candidate of choice.
Isabela Gamez
Obama makes waves during long-awaited return to Tucson
Former President Barack Obama delivered a fiery and impassioned speech to a crowd of 7,000 on Friday, taking several shots at Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump.
Caitlin Schmidt
Vice presidential pick JD Vance talks border security during Tucson rally
Supporters of all ages turned out to support Vance during his second visit in two weeks, the crowd a sea of red hats and shirts.
Samantha Callicutt
Former Rep. O’Rourke rallies with young voters in Tucson
O’Rourke kicked off his visit with a Young Professionals Happy Hour at Crooked Tooth Brewing Company Wednesday evening, where he rallied support for the Harris-Walz campaign and encouraged attendees to take action in the upcoming election.
Isabela Gamez
Harris-Walz campaign engages voters on Tucson’s south side
A common sentiment among attendees was appreciation for political events being held on the south side, an area that doesn’t see many of these types of gatherings.
Isabela Gamez
Late-cycle Tucson campaign visits focus on reproductive right access
A pair of campaign events last week aimed to rally support for candidates who support access to abortion and reproductive rights.
Angelina Maynes
Walz returns to Tucson to rally last-minute voters
Hundreds of people gathered at Tucson High Saturday to hear one last time from Minnesota Gov. and Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz.
Olivia Krupp
Miscellaneous coverage
Gen Z takes the lead in Southern Arizona’s Harris-Walz campaign
Patrick Robles was born and raised on Tucson’s south side and has years of political experience. He’s now working as the Harris-Walz campaign’s Southern Arizona political director.
Susan A. Barnett
Young voters wield the power this election – should they choose to use it
Millennials and Generation Z will make up 44% of American voters this year, according to Rock the Vote, marking a notable shift in electoral dynamics as younger generations bring fresh perspectives and priorities.
Angelina Maynes
Local experts warn about misinformation’s impact on elections
During a recent panel hosted by the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson and Pima County Public Library, experts in the fields of communication, journalism, government and public policy shared common missteps and ways to verify information.
Isabela Gamez
Arizona Democrats hoping for a trifecta
Republicans have held a trifecta in Arizona since 1992, but Democratic officials and outreach groups are hoping to change that.
Caitlin Schmidt
Latin American women share stories of reproductive rights struggles
The work for reproductive and abortion rights extends beyond Arizona and even the United States, with women around the world facing different struggles.
Isabela Gamez
Tucsonans turn out to march against Prop. 314
Last Friday, dozens of Tucsonans took to the streets to march against Prop. 314 and to ask politicians to implement the types of interventions that Gallego and Vice President Kamala Harris have suggested.
Isabela Gamez
Deputies protest claims of corruption within sheriff’s department
The crowd cited corruption within the sheriff’s department and the possibility of mass-exodus if Nanos is reelected as some of the largest issues bringing them out.
Olivia Krupp
Presidential candidates turn to podcasts to help sway voters
In previous cycles, rallies and in-person events have been key to candidates’ success, and while they’re still turning to those traditional methods to draw voters, they’re also taking to the digital airwaves to engage a new and different base.
Abbie Andrus
