An "A+" Candidate Forum: Council Candidate Focus

Council candidate forum
Last week’s Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce council candidate forum provided an opportunity to learn the positions of five candidates across seven key topic areas. Each candidate (Rosa Dailey, Chris DeSimone, Jake Herrington, Rhonda Pina, and Matt Wood) also presented opening and closing statements. The session was facilitated by Janine Sharp-Mason, a Tucson-based brand strategist and founder of J9 Brandworks. There were hundreds in attendance. There were seven topic areas: Financial outlook and budget, business climate and economic development, growth and annexation, housing, water and sustainability, public safety, and tourism and arts.

Agreement on core services
Candidates expressed agreement on maintaining two of three Oro Valley’s core services: Public safety and water management. There as was no discussion of a third core service: Roads. During the discussion, candidates noted that Public Safety and Water are central to the community’s quality of life.  All candidates expressed strong support for maintaining these two areas.  Candidate Matt Wood said, “Public safety came out number one in every survey… and that should be our number one priority.” 

Housing shows the greatest divide
Housing, particularly affordable housing and the role of the Town, produced the widest range of responses. Jake Herrington supported increasing housing supply, including apartments. Rhonda Pina said housing is closely tied to workforce needs and wages, noting that many workers in Oro Valley cannot afford to live in the Town and must commute. She said the Town needs to consider what types of housing are appropriate for different income levels and where that housing should be located. Rosa Dailey and Matt Wood said residents have expressed opposition to subsidized or large-scale affordable housing. Chris DeSimone said affordable housing is unlikely to occur in Oro Valley and would instead be developed in surrounding communities.

No shared view of town's financial condition
When asked how they view Oro Valley’s financial outlook and how they would ensure long-term financial stability, one candidate, Rhonda Pina, referred to recent Town financial results. Pina referenced a projected General Fund $4 to $5 million revenue shortfall this year (see note). She said the Town should respond by managing spending more cautiously. Other candidates spoke more generally about the Town’s financial condition, with views ranging from concern, expressed by Chris DeSimone, to optimism, expressed by Rosa Dailey.

Ideas offered to address financial challenges
Candidates identified a mix of approaches if a financial problem exists, including controlling expenses and increasing revenue. Revenue-related ideas included annexing retail areas, attracting and retaining businesses, improving the business climate, capturing more local spending, expanding tourism, and, in some cases, modest fee increases.

Growth, annexation, and tourism as revenue tools
Growth, annexation, and tourism were discussed as potential revenue sources. 

• On annexation, candidates generally agreed it could increase revenue, particularly through retail areas. Rhonda Pina and Chris DeSimone supported annexation as part of the solution. Rosa Dailey and Matt Wood said costs, timing, and water availability also should be considered.
• On growth, candidates said it should be managed carefully. Jake Herrington referred to “smart growth” but did not define the term. Rosa Dailey and Matt Wood said development should align with resident preferences and infrastructure limits, including water and service capacity.
• On tourism, Chris DeSimone, a member of the Town’s Tourism Advisory Commission, said the Town is not fully capturing revenue opportunities. Rosa Dailey and Rhonda Pina said the Town should build on existing assets and partnerships. Matt Wood expressed caution regarding large investments such as a performing arts center. Jake Herrington supported expanding arts and tourism activity.

Business climate and local support
The business climate and support of local businesses were discussed as factors affecting revenue. Chris DeSimone and Jake Herrington said Oro Valley is viewed as difficult for businesses, citing unspecified permitting and process challenges. Rhonda Pina suggested reviewing business-related ordinances and completing projects to improve confidence. Matt Wood said the Town should identify barriers and continue promoting local spending.  Rosa Dailey, on the other hand, voiced a more confident view. She pointed to new businesses opening in Oro Valley and referenced ongoing town outreach efforts.

Differences provide voters a clear choice
The forum provided voters with information on candidate positions. Candidates expressed agreement on core services, including public safety and water management. Differences were expressed on growth, housing, and the Town’s financial outlook. Those differences provide voters with a choice in direction. There may be another opportunity to hear from the candidates at a forum in May or June. Information will be provided if that occurs.
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Note: Town financial results reported to the Budget and Finance Commission on April 21 show local sales tax revenues are forecast to fall short of budget by about $4.0 million based on results through February 2026. The shortfall is largely tied to lower-than-expected construction-related activity, including project delays, rather than a decline from prior-year levels.
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Tomorrow: An "A+" Candidate Forum: Mayor Candidate Focus
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Watch the forum here.
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Election 2026 Update: Forum, Ballots, and Campaign Developments

Chamber Forum Set for Tonight
Tonight, the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a candidate forum at the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene, located at 500 W. Calle Concordia. The event begins with a meet and greet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by the forum. From 6:00 to approximately 7:00 p.m., council candidates will deliver opening statements, respond to questions, and provide closing remarks under a structured format. From approximately 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., mayoral candidates Barrett and Napier will follow with their forum,

Candidates Napier, DeSimone and Pina using same media company
All candidates have now filed their first quarter campaign finance reports with the Town, detailing both contributions and expenditures. A review of those reports shows that candidates Napier, DeSimone, and Pina are using the same media company, Live the Dream Media, for campaign services. DeSimone’s podcast is with that company, and he serves as its Vice President of Business Development. A review of the campaign websites of the three candidates shows each emphasizes public safety, fiscal responsibility, and maintaining core services.

The candidates tell us there is no collaboration. According to mayoral candidate Mark Napier: “I am not running as a slate with anyone. I am using Live the Dream Media because they have a good reputation in the community and I need their help with social media support. Some candidates may have similar views on issues facing the community. This is not unusual and does not reflect collaboration.”

Chair of Planning and Zoning Commission is paid consultant for DiSimone campaign
We also noted in our review of the finance reports that current Planning and Zoning Commission chair, Anna Clark, is working as a paid consultant to the DeSimone campaign, receiving about $3,500 thru March 31, according to DiSimone's campaign finance report. Clark's position as Chair expires at the end of this year.

Site posts altered images and insulting campaign messaging to demean candidates Barrett, Dailey and Wood
A facebook page that has been active since last year continues to publish content targeting certain Oro Valley candidates and current leadership. The material goes beyond criticism, using insulting suggestion's and imagery to attack individuals. Screenshots provided to LOVE show posts attributed to James Prunty that portrays candidates Barrett, Dailey and Wood in a negative light. In several instances, the content uses images of candidates taken from there websites, alters or distorts them, and overlays disparaging messages, contributing to an overall tone that is attack-oriented and never issue-focused. 

Independent voters: Make sure you get a ballot
The Pima County Recorder’s Office mailed a notice to independent voters regarding how to receive a ballot for the primary election. Normally, these voters would not receive a ballot unless they had designated a party affiliation. The notice includes a return envelope. On the form, voters must select which ballot they want (a town-only ballot is available) and indicate where the ballot should be sent if they will not be at their registered address. Ballots cannot be forwarded. The county will mail the ballot on June 24. The election date is July 21.