SOUTH TUCSON FORWARD

The Community • The City • The Future

Most of our residents have called South Tucson home for generations. The love we have for our neighbors is undeniable, it is what has sustained us.

But there's also a shared feeling we can't ignore: we are tired. Tired of being treated like a shortcut instead of a destination, a place people pass through instead of invest in.

South Tucson is not a speed bump.

We are a community rooted in tradition: food, art, culture, and history. It's time we become a beacon for those who believe in that, those who see that value, who want to be part of it, and who are ready to carry it forward.

For the People. For Our Future.

Por el Pueblo. Por Nuestro Futuro.

VOTE Tuesday, July 21, 2026 Early voting by mail deadline: July 15, 2026

Click Here to Register to Vote before June 19

MEET YOUR CANDIDATES

ZEKE COOK

Zeke is a State of Arizona licensed Professional Engineer with a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering. A Tucson resident for 40 years, he chose to put down roots in South Tucson five years ago. He currently serves on the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Donation Funds Citizens Advisory Committee.

South Tucson’s Comprehensive Plan has not been updated since 1999. Without a clear vision for the future, it’s difficult to attract grants, investment, and economic development.

Zeke believes that smart, community-centered development is the key to funding the public safety our residents deserve — and that’s exactly why he’s running.

DEBBIE FEDERICO

Debbie is a proud 4th-generation South Tucson resident raising the next generation. As the Narrative Development Director and Writer for a local film production company, and VP of a nonprofit supporting students in high school Film & TV programs, she brings a creative, community-centered vision to everything she does.

She is a single mother and sole provider for her son, she believes that a seat on City Council is not a position of power — it’s a position of service.

A city council member is accountable to and works for the people who elect and fund them. When elected, she will hold open office hours so the community always has direct access to their representative.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

OUR VALUES REFLECT OUR COMMITMENT

CULTURE

We have a unique identity that must be preserved.

This means retaining our existing residents and businesses while attracting new commerce.

Building up without pushing out.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Public safety is our number one issue.

Solving this requires funding through both economic growth and federal and state grants.

ECONOMIC GROWTH

We need a rational city budget and an updated Comprehensive Plan.

An road map that shows our community where we are going and opens the door to new investment.

An Informed Person Is Powerful

THE FINANCIAL CRISIS

The City of South Tucson’s financial consultant projects a deficit this year of over $600,000. Next year this deficit balloons to over $1,600,000. In 2028 we run out of money.
If the City goes bankrupt, it opens the door to incorporation discussions and the potential loss of South Tucson’s identity as an independent city
The City’s Comprehensive Plan has not been updated since 1999. Every Council since has ignored the need to implement a new one. Without it, we cannot attract grants, investment, or economic development.
The majority of the current Council voted to cancel the 1.5% Food Tax, eliminating $175,000 in annual revenue the City depends on — with no plan to make up the difference.

PUBLIC SAFETY FAILURES

The majority of the current Council voted to disable the FLOCK camera system despite it being endorsed by our Public Safety Department.
- With using the FLOCK Camera data Chief Denogean has stated 14 arrests have been made, it aided in 8 investigations (with 4 classified as homicides), recovered eight stolen vehicles, helped solve two hit-and-run cases, and a September 2025 shooting investigation where four guns were seized.

And all of this was accomplished of this in only 6 months of operation.

LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Mayor Roxanna Valenzuela has canceled 8 meetings 25.8% since November 2024.
Since taking office in November 2022, Councilman Cesar Aguirre has missed 20 out of 73 City Council meetings, a 27% absence rate that has only gotten worse over time.

City Council meetings are held every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 6:00 PM and are open to the public.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

5 of the 7 current Council members work for or are affiliated with Casa Maria.

This lopsided majority has consistently produced decisions that align with a single organization’s agenda not the needs of South Tucson residents.

The Homing Project and Primavera want to build temporary shelter villages for the unhoused near Mission View Elementary School and next to areas already impacted by drug activity. The current Council is willing to change our building codes to allow it. South Tucson is not a dumping ground for Tucson’s unsolved problems, our residents deserve a voice.

City Council meetings are held every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 6:00 PM and are open to the public.

Meet Your Candidates

Join us and get to know Zeke and Debbie in person. Ask questions, share your concerns, and be part of the conversation about South Tucson's future.

Check back soon for dates and times!

Can't make it to an event? Email us at southtucsonforward@gmail.com We would love to hear from you!

Get In Touch

We want to hear from you.

Whether you have questions, concerns, or just want to show your support, reach out.

Every voice in South Tucson matters.

📧 southtucsonforward@gmail.com

South Tucson is a community worth fighting for.

VOTE Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Early voting by mail deadline: July 15, 2026

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