The 2011 Tucson mayoral election occurred on November 8, 2011, to select the next mayor of Tucson, and occurred simultaneously with the elections to the Tucson City Council wards 1, 2 and 4.[1] Although not term-limited,[1] incumbent mayorBob Walkup did not run for re-election,[2] leaving Tucson's chief executive office open and competitive, with seven candidates filing to run in the race.[3]
Current Republican Mayor Bob Walkup did not run for re-election to a third term. Traditionally, Tucson is a Democratic stronghold with its position as a university town and its large Hispanic American population (41.6% of the city's population according to the 2010 Census).[4] Thus, a change of party control of the mayoralty was seen as a strong possibility.
For the first time in Tucson, all of the elections (mayor and city council) were conducted via mail, due to a decision by the city council in April.[5]