2011 Tucson mayoral election

The 2011 Tucson mayoral election 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. Although not term-limited, incumbent mayor Bob Walkup did not run for re-election, leaving Tucson's chief executive office open and competitive, with seven candidates filing to run in the race.

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

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). 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.

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

Democratic primary
Originally political newcomer Marshall Home had registered to challenge incumbent Jonathan Rothschild.

Republican primary
Republicans nominated Rick Grinnell

Independent candidates
Originally, Pat Darcy had registered to run as an independent.

Write-in candidates

 * Joseph Maher Jr.