Democrat Kevin Dahl will be Tucsonβs newest City Council member, according to unofficial vote tallies that show he earned nearly 58% of the votes in the Ward 3 election.
Dahl is a conservationist who serves as the Arizona Senior Program Manager at the National Parks Conservation Association. Heβs also led Native Seeds/SEARCH and the Tucson Audubon Society, two groups dedicated to environmental protection.
His top issues over the next four years will include addressing climate change by ensuring the city stays true to its climate initiatives. Affordable housing in Tucson is another key issue for Dahl, whose strategy could include repurposing vacant homes to increase housing options.
Dahl will replace Councilmember Karin Uhlich, who was tapped to replace Councilman Paul Durham earlier this year following his resignation. She previously held the position from 2005 to 2017.
Uhlich did not seek a full term, making this yearβs election in Ward 3 a battle between Dahl and two other political newcomers: Republican Alan Harwell Jr. and Independent Lucy LiBosha.
Harwell received about 27% of the vote. His top issues were to increase funding for law enforcement and oppose COVID mitigation measures like vaccine mandates for city employees.
LiBosha is an Army veteran and current high school math teacher in the Tucson Unified School District. Her prior leadership experience includes being a union representative for the American Federation of Teachers.
About 12% of the votes went to LiBosha, whose key issues included encouraging neighborhood-led public works programs and putting money towards social services such as mental health care resources.
Dahl will assume the Ward 3 position early next year and will be up for reelection in 2025.
Voters citywide cast ballots in all three ward races.
