Low wage earners will have growing competition for fewer and fewer jobs after Tuesday’s Tucson City Council election. The three incumbent City Council members will continue to govern the people of the 8th poorest metropolitan area in the country.
Ben Buehler-Garcia lost to Karin Uhlich by a wide margin. Buehler-Garcia, who lost a bid for the seat 4 years ago by a narrow margin, opted to keep the same campaign strategy that had failed him before.
Mike Polak, a political newcomer, who had little money but ran a grassroots campaign, gave Councilman Richard Fimbres a run for his money.
Councilman Steve Kozachik did not face an opponent due to the splintered Republican Party, but a tally by 8:00 p.m. tonight showed a write-in candidate rate of 7 percent.
According to election observers, despite their objections, Ulich campaign materials remained posted in and around the polling sites. Normally, campaigning and campaign materials cannot be within 75 feet of a polling place.
City of Tucson Results (100% of precincts reporting)
Ward 3: Karen Uhlich (D) 58% Ben Buehler-Garcia (R) 42%
Ward 5: Richard Fimbres (D) 60% Mike Polak (D) 40%
Prop 401 (City of Tucson Expenditure Limit) 62% yes 38% no
Prop 402 (Plan Tucson) 66% yes 34% no
Pima County (22 out of 26 precincts completely reporting, 4 out of 26 partially reporting)
Prop 405 (Sunnyside budget override) 2,260 Yes 2,544 No
Prop 406 (Catalina Foothills budget override) 4,259 Yes 2,524 No
Prop 407 (Catalina Foothills budget override) 4,094 Yes 2,270 No
Prop 408 (Altar Valley budget override) 330 Yes 504 No
Vail Incorporation 1,441 Yes 1,838 No