As election season heats up, two newcomers want to take the seat that a Marana Town Council member has held for over two decades.

Council member Roxanne Ziegler is vying for her sixth term as she faces challenger Patrick Cavanaugh, who ran for a seat on the council in 2022, and newcomer Melissa Zupi.

Two of the six council seats are up for grabs in the July 30 election and Mayor Ed Honea is running unopposed, which means he will pass the four-decade mark in public service during the upcoming four-year term.

The winners of the election will oversee an annual budget of more than $400 million and a town government that is planning to spend more than $500 million on capital projects over the next five years, a big chunk of which will go toward transportation.

They’ll also deal with a town that is growing quickly and the tensions that come with that growth. They’ll have to balance residents’ objections with the need for more electricity and more affordable housing. (If you’re curious about the kinds of things the Marana Town Council deals with, check out the news coverage we curated in our Tucson Agenda Election Wiki.)

Now let’s get to the candidates.

Roxanne Ziegler: She has lived in Marana since 1989. This year, she’s highlighting her contributions to local infrastructure and services, saying the current state of roads, parks, and police services are a testament to the council's achievements.

Ziegler emphasizes sustainable growth and fiscal responsibility, aiming to ensure the community has the resources to thrive. She underscores the importance of continuity in leadership and her experience in managing the town’s resources effectively.

"We can always learn from younger people, but it's good to keep some of us around for a while," she said on The Local Marana Podcast.

She was endorsed by the Marana Police Officers Association, Marana Veterans Club President Keith Jones, along with Honea, and Councilman Herb Kai. Her campaign is financially backed by local real estate broker Greg Wexler, Herb Kai and his family, and others.

You can learn more about Ziegler at her campaign website.

Melissa Zupi: She was born and raised on a Marana farm. She worked in finance and now is the general manager of The Marana Pumpkin Patch and Farm Festivals.

She emphasizes her passion and dedication. Zupi’s platform focuses on economic growth, infrastructure improvement, and environmental conservation.

She promises to improve roads, bridges, and highway interchanges along with investing in public transit, sidewalks, bike lanes, and congestion-reducing technology. Zupi is committed to preserving Marana's desert spaces and ensuring sustainable development.

She praises the current leadership for their efforts and aims to continue in the same direction.

"They have done an amazing job in our community, and I want to ensure it continues," she said on The Local Marana Podcast.

Zupi was endorsed by Northwest Firefighters Local 3572, the Marana Police Officers Association, and the Tucson Association of Realtors. She was also endorsed by Marana Councilwoman Comerford, Councilmen Herb Kai and John Officer and also Honea and Vice Mayor Jon Post. She is self-funding her campaign.