Get ready to vote for Pima County Supervisor District 3

Meet the candidate

Age: 70

Hometown: Brunswick, Maine

Current job: Chair, Pima County Board of Supervisors.

Why you seek re-election: During my time in office I have continuously displayed civility and been part of informed debate, something growing rare in our political discourse, but that enables me to reach across party lines for common sense solutions benefiting the whole region. My top priority is to stabilize and expand our economy. We must keep focusing on recruiting and retaining employers sharing our goal of high-wage, long-term jobs. That requires local government, private sector employers, and non-profit organizations working together. Pima County will accomplish that by keeping proven leaders who make things happen. I believe I’m one of them and that's why I'm running.

More information: Info@SharonBronson.com; SharonBronson.com; Facebook — Bronson For Supervisor; Twitter — @SharonBronson

Meet the candidate

Age: 52

Hometown: Tucson

Occupation: Branch manager/licensed residential mortgage lender with Sunstreet Mortgage.

Why you seek election: I have been a resident of Pima County for 37 years and I have listened to numerous excuses without viable solutions to the issues. We have a lack of infrastructure and road maintenance, out of control spending and tax increases which are the highest per capita in the State. Our economic development is at a stand still and there is a lack of sustainable jobs in Pima County. Supervisor Bronson's leadership has been ineffective. I have the knowledge and ability to affect change and make the tough decisions that are required to move Pima County in a positive and productive direction.

More information: demarcoforsupervisor.com, facebook.com/DeMarcoforSupervisor, on Twitter @kim4supervisor

If there’s any chance of the current 3-2 board of supervisors Democratic majority swinging Republican, it’s in the District 3 race. In the race, Democratic incumbent Sharon Bronson, who was first elected to the board in 1996, faces Republican challenger Kim DeMarco.

Bronson has incumbency on her side, as well as a district that has far more registered Democrats than Republicans — nearly 40 percent of voters just 32 percent respectively, according to recent tallies.

She has also raised nearly $170,000 and had nearly $140,000 on hand at the end of the most recent campaign finance reporting period, the second largest war chest after District 4 Republican candidate Steve Christy. DeMarco has raised less than a third of that and had nearly $27,000 remaining at the end of the same period, according to the most current reports.

Caterpillar’s move to Pima County, along with several other developments, has been pointed to as evidence that the county’s economic landscape is improving. However, some have criticized the taxpayer-funded incentives and other means used to attract businesses to the area. What are your thoughts on the county’s recent role in economic development? Would you push for a different approach?

Bronson: I understand that private sector jobs are created by the private sector. However, I believe it is appropriate for the county to play a supportive role in helping the private sector create those jobs. Before I support incentives, I want to be sure the investment we make will provide an economic return to taxpayers. Creating more jobs provides both direct and indirect economic benefits throughout the county.

Recent news reports indicate that the county job initiatives I support are realizing success and that we are third in the nation in job growth. We need to keep moving forward with those initiatives while also simplifying the regulatory and permitting process for new business.

We will continue to invest in key infrastructure that makes Pima County a place where employers will want to stay or relocate.

DeMarco: I think that it is fantastic that new businesses are coming to the county. However, some businesses are receiving taxpayer-funded incentives. These incentives are not sustainable and they are providing millions of dollars in the furtherance of private corporations.

We need to focus on what will bring not only large businesses, but sustain the existing small businesses in Pima County, as they are the backbone of our community. We need to fix our roads and infrastructure, streamline our permitting process and reduce fees and property taxes, to encourage businesses, large and small. By taking care of the county’s primary responsibilities and prioritize our spending it will ensure a positive business atmosphere.

Roads, and their often poor condition, are a perennial source of complaints in Pima County. What do you think is the best approach to improve the condition of county roads in coming years?

Bronson: Our roads and how we are going to pay for repairs is among the most significant challenges facing the county. In the last five years the county has spent almost $500 million in repairing, improving and building new roads. The county has undertaken pavement preservation on 225 miles of road, repaired over 800,000 potholes, and has built or will build 45 miles of new roads.

We must continue to focus on road maintenance. I will work to eliminate the state shifts of Highway User Revenue Funds that divert funds from Pima County, move to a more equitable distribution and increase resources for road repairs. Taxpayer dollars should be used to improve the roads in the county. We must also continue our investment in key infrastructure.

DeMarco: First we need to put road repair into the budget as a recurring expense. We need to use the Highway User Revenue Funds monies for road repairs as they were meant to be used. We have received $688 million over the last nine years for road repair, yet our roads are crumbling. The money is not being used for road repair. We need to look at a regional plan using the Regional Transportation Authority that will be a win-win situation for the county as well as the municipalities within Pima County.

My opponent is urging another tax increase. Tax increases are not the answer. We must cut expenses and prioritize spending. Our roads can be fixed and it is my number one priority.

Beyond the issues raised in the previous questions, what is the most significant problem or issue facing your district, and what would you do to address it?

Bronson: Reducing the property-tax burden on homeowners and businesses. Many in District 3 live on fixed incomes and own their home. As a result, property taxes have a particularly significant impact. In Pima County our property tax supports the many functions of county government including our jail and county hospital.

Other Arizona counties can generate revenue from a sales tax, which our voters have rejected four previous times. Also, these other counties, particularly Maricopa, have created separate, special taxing districts for their jail and hospital that generates revenue through separate property tax assessments.

As a result, Maricopa County taxpayers pay higher taxes when all of these other districts are included. Nonetheless, just as we did this year, I remain committed to cutting property taxes.

DeMarco: Beyond the county’s poor economic development and disintegrating roads, we face a serious crisis with our sheriff’s and corrections departments.

A large part of District 3 is very rural and depends heavily on our great deputies. However, our deputies and corrections officers have not received their step- pay increases as promised in 8 years. Because of this we are losing our experienced deputies and corrections officers to other departments. This loss of experience can be devastating to the safety of our community and can directly affect our ability to draw new business to the area.

This is an issue that needs to be dealt with quickly. We can do this by addressing the nonessential spending in the budget and direct those monies to compensate these men and women as they were promised.

What is the most significant problem or issue facing the county as a whole, and what would you do to address it?

Bronson: Illegal cost shifts by the Arizona Legislature — I will continue to challenge the illegal cost shifts forced on Pima County residents and businesses by the Phoenix politicians in the Arizona legislature. Recently, I voted to sue these Phoenix politicians and the courts ruled in our favor. These efforts resulted in $32 million being returned to Pima County taxpayers thus enabling us to cut taxes in this year’s budget. I will continue to fight these illegal cost shifts.

DeMarco: By far the roads are the biggest issue countywide. Here, I would like to address an issue that is just as important: the mistrust of our county government as evidenced in the 2015 bond proposals failing to pass. It is imperative for the Board of Supervisors to operate in a transparent manner. It is important for the board to listen to the people of Pima County and hear what they are saying.

There is an enormous amount of knowledge among the residents in this county including environmental, education and business knowledge, just to name a few areas of expertise. I will change how the board conducts business. Business transactions and decisions will be done in a transparent, honest and fair manner.

Why should voters pick you over your opponent?

Bronson: I am proud to have called District 3 home for over 30 years. We have strong communities, effective partnerships and a strong embrace of innovation. Pima County is a great place to live, work and recreate. Some politicians and radio talk show hosts think they are able to advance their political and economic interests by tearing down our community. I do not. I am committed to making a difference for the residents of District 3. We will continue to build on our record of creating jobs, strong fiscal discipline, conserving our desert landscape and protecting our water resources that contributes significantly to our current and future economic prosperity. My track record demonstrates that I am committed to making a difference.

DeMarco: My opponent has been in office for 20 years and during that time the county’s debt has doubled to over $1.4 billion. Economic growth remains stagnant while other counties in Arizona are flourishing and our roads and infrastructure have been neglected for years. These serious issues directly affect county residents … and the responsibility falls directly on my opponent’s shoulders. My diverse background as a U.S. Marine, police officer and local business woman has given me the experience, knowledge and leadership skills to find solutions to these problems and take action. My experience in contract negotiation, grant acquisition and budgeting will be invaluable on the board. I will be transparent and honest in my actions and will work hard for the people.

The titans of Tucson industry are tangling in a way we’ve never seen before.

Eager to influence who wins the majority on the Pima County Board of Supervisors, two groups apparently dominated by local business interests are pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into outside-expenditure efforts.

These outside groups, in turn, are sending out thousands of expensive mailers, posting signs, setting up websites and preparing to advertise on TV and radio.

Their focus is the race in District 3 between incumbent Democrat Sharon Bronson and Republican challenger Kim DeMarco. But the broader issue is control of the board.

Although both appear to be funded by so-called “dark money,” one side was willing to tell me a bit about its intent.

Don Diamond, the legendary local land investor, helped found the group Our Southern Arizona, he told me last week. He and others are planning to fund it to the tune of — get this — $175,000. Their aim: to re-elect Bronson and maintain the three-member Democratic majority on the board.

This amount is unheard of in local supervisors’ races. But it is probably being equaled — if not exceeded — by the other group, called America Revived PAC.

Of his involvement, Diamond said he thinks county government has made some mistakes in the past, but that he is pleased with the work it’s been doing lately, crediting it with helping the metro area “turn the corner.”

“I made up my mind to do whatever I can do to protect Sharon Bronson and keep Chuck Huckelberry in,” he said, referring to the longtime county administrator.

“Money is not an object,” he said. “The objective is good government.”

Plus, as he acknowledged slyly, “Selfishly, I own a lot of land.”

Diamond is partnering with attorney and Democratic insider Larry Hecker, commercial real-estate broker Mark Irvin and others in the effort. They’re responsible for the signs, posted next to campaign signs for DeMarco and Republican Supervisor Ally Miller, that say “Shhhh.....shesgotasecret.com”. If you go to that website, it describes Miller and DeMarco as erratic allies obstructing progress in Pima County.

The other group was more skittish when I went seeking information . Revived America PAC has sent out thousands of mailers against Bronson. She, Diamond and others told me they believe auto dealer Jim Click, a big Republican donor, is behind the effort. Click did not return a call or email seeking comment.

Earlier this year, Hank Amos, of Tucson Realty and Trust, convened a group of business owners to persuade them to work to overturn the board majority. Amos, who is also heading Steve Christy’s successful campaign for supervisor (he has only a Green Party general election opponent, Joshua Reilly), did not return my call seeking comment.

Neither did Bill Assenmacher of CAID Industries, who is out of the country, nor David Mehl of Cottonwood Properties.

America Revived registered with Pima County on Oct. 7. Charles Coolidge and Nathan Sproul of Lincoln Strategy Group in Tempe are the chair and treasurer. Sproul is a political consultant whom Click has often hired, going back to Tucson City Council races in 2003.

It is likely that any money received by the PAC will have come from dark-money groups — those that don’t have to disclose their donors. So we may never know who donated how much.

But Diamond and Bronson, looking at the money their opponents have spent so far, estimated that Revived America’s efforts will cost at least $200,000.

“I do not know who is behind the IE (independent expenditure) that is supporting me. But I do appreciate their help,” DeMarco told me via email. “They are pointing out the real issues in Pima County.”

The Revived America mailers criticize Bronson for tax increases the county board has passed and the debt burden the county has taken on. They also point out that she supported the bond issues that failed last November.

The reason for the pro-DeMarco spending is likely that the big billfolds think they can make a difference. The results of the bond election gave many Republicans hope.

Now, the few polls conducted have suggested the race in District 3 is close, Pima County GOP Chairman Bill Beard said.

“Every poll I have been privy to says it’s down to 1 or 2 points,” Beard said.

If true, that would be extraordinary. The most recent voter tallies show there are about 12,500 more registered Democrats than Republicans in District 3 — a 12 percentage-point advantage.

The stakes are high: If Christy, DeMarco and Miller are elected, they will almost certainly remove administrator Huckelberry from office as soon as possible. They could also unplug some of the economic-incentive deals that the county has made to persuade companies to locate or expand here. Likely, they would make repairing roads — Miller’s constant refrain — a top priority as well.

Re-electing the Democratic majority — incumbent Democrats Ramon Valadez has no challenger and Richard Elías has only a Green Party challenger, Martin Bastidas — would likely mean the status quo prevails. Huckelberry would probably remain administrator for some time, and the incentive deals would stay in place as long as the courts allow them.

What’s permanently been altered is our political culture. The unprecedented spending of at least $40,000 by outside groups in the Tucson Unified School District board race pales in comparison to the $400,000 or so likely to be spent fighting over control of the Pima County Board of Supervisors.

In that game, only the people and groups with big bucks can play.

Sharon Bronson

When the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Sept. 6 to approve an agreement between the county, Regional Flood Control District and the federal government for implementation of the Multi-species Conservation Plan, it was the culmination of a community-wide effort over nearly two decades. The plan will preserve our fragile desert ecosystem while also allowing the community to grow and prosper.

I am immensely proud of the county’s leadership in bringing the entire community together to work cooperatively and craft a plan that brings order to what had been chaos.

One of the primary reasons I first ran for the Board of Supervisors was to be a voice for our environmental community, which was struggling to preserve our beautiful natural areas as we experienced double-digit population growth. For most of the 1980s and 1990s, the majority of political conflict in our region was about growth – where we were growing, how we were growing, who should be paying for growth and whether we were growing too fast or not fast enough.

I wanted us to grow, but to grow responsibly and to recognize the economic, ecological and cultural value of preserving and maintaining the biodiversity of our part of the Sonoran Desert. I sought collaboration and compromise.

The battle over growth had become litigious by the 1990s, and in 1997, a federal judge listed the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl as an endangered species. The areas impacted included some of the hottest real estate markets in the county, including the foothills of the Tucson and Tortolita mountains.

We soon learned that we could develop a plan and apply for a federal permit that would protect our desert and our economy.

We brought together every group that would be impacted by such a plan and after many years of hard work and a lot of community meetings, discussion and debate, the Board adopted the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan (SDCP).

There were two key components of the plan still to be achieved — the money to pay for it, and a Multi-species Conservation Plan acceptable to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for it to issue the county a special permit (commonly referred to as a Section 10 permit) that would protect developers from federal sanction if they built in areas that had threatened or endangered species.

In 2004, county voters overwhelmingly endorsed the SDCP when they agreed to an increase in property taxes to raise the nearly $200 million needed to acquire the environmentally sensitive lands necessary to receive the Section 10 permit. In July of this year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued the county the Section 10 permit and this week’s vote formalized its implementation.

While the issuance of this permit and implementation of the Multi-species Conservation Plan may seem like the end of a long road, it is in fact the beginning. The enormous, collaborative community effort that has taken nearly 18 years to achieve must still go on.

The Great Recession stalled growth here, but our economy is back on track and housing and commercial development plans that were shelved in 2008 and 2009 are being dusted off.

We will grow again. We will build new houses and shopping centers, and business parks again, but because we came together as a community to seek and achieve compromise about how and where we grow, we will now grow responsibly and without much of the acrimony of the past.

I hope all of you are as proud as I am of what we have accomplished. It takes will and leadership, but we can work together to solve our problems.

While all five seats on the Pima County Board of Supervisors are on the ballot in the general election, only Districts 1 and 3 have competitive races. We are focusing our attention on those, and offer our recommendations:

The Star endorses Brian Bickel for the northwest-side District 1, and incumbent Sharon Bronson for the largely rural west-side District 3.

Bickel is running against incumbent Republican Ally Miller, who has routinely made false statements about Pima County, its personnel and her habit of using her personal email account to conduct county business.

We do not endorse Bickel as simply an “anti-Ally Miller” position.

His career as a hospital administrator and in the military, specifically as a liaison with the civilian community, makes him an attractive candidate. Both roles required communication skills, the ability to negotiate details while keeping the big picture in mind and vision to guide a complex organization.

Bickel identified his top priority as the county’s tax structure and diversifying its tax base, because, as he said, the budget is heavily dependent on property tax, which is a volatile revenue source that fluctuates from one year to the next depending on the market and property valuations.

Bickel’s approach to economic development is forward-looking and embraces collaboration.

He recognizes government’s role to help bring big businesses to Pima County, which happened with the successful joint public-private effort to land Caterpillar’s headquarters, but also wisely knows there is a limit to what elected officials can and should do with taxpayer money to lure new businesses.

“The problems we’re dealing with aren’t partisan,” he said.

We find much to like in Brian Bickel as a fresh perspective on the board. And we find much to like in Sharon Bronson, an incumbent running against newcomer and Republican Kim DeMarco.

Bronson has the advantage of being the incumbent, but her time in office has been spent wisely.

She knows that the way to improve Pima County isn’t to slash and burn its budget, but to increase revenue — she also cited the Caterpillar deal as an effective use of public-private partnerships to build business.

Bronson’s expression of regionalism was refreshing, especially given our area’s tendency toward parochialism. Working together is powerful and the way forward. As she said, “Twentieth century economic development was different.”

Also valuable is Bronson’s institutional knowledge of Pima County.

She has the long view and has been on the board when it worked well, even when members disagreed. “There is a way to work together,” she said.