There was a steady stream of men and women offering congratulations to Robert Larribas inside South Tucson City Hall on Wednesday.
The morning after he defeated Mayor Paul Diaz in a recall election, the 54-year-old Raytheon Missile Systems employee was a recognizable face to many city employees.
The political newcomer defeated Diaz by 67 votes with a total of 395 votes cast in the 1.2-square-mile city.
Larribas, a lifelong South Tucson resident, admits he had doubts when entered the race in February, spending hours gathering signatures and explaining his plans to the community.
The news still settling in that he won, Larribas actually asked for some time to gather his thoughts.
βIt is an honor to serve,β he said on Tuesday night. βI want to thank the community for their support, for believing in me and giving me this chance.β
He said he hopes to come into the South Tucson City Council as a neutral party who will be able to work with everyone.
βThat way the council can move forward and work with the community,β Larribas said.
Diaz, who became mayor in 2013 when former Mayor Jennifer Eckstrom resigned, did not return calls seeking comment.
He was targeted by political opponents who accused him of supporting an attempt by the Pasadera Behavioral Health Network to open a residential drug-treatment facility across the street from Mission View Elementary School.
The Diaz recall petition, circulated last year, stated: βHe failed to uphold his campaign promises of transparency and public safety and is taking actions that are detrimental to South Tucson.β
Previously, Diaz said the town does not have the legal authority to get involved in a private business transaction outside of making sure all laws are followed related to permits.
βMy position as an elected official must adhere to all legal judgment in matters brought before the council. As such, we had no legal right to stop the private land sale between Pasadera and the Arizona Childrenβs Home Association,β Diaz wrote in election paperwork.
