Tucson Councilman Paul Cunningham Announces He’s Running Against Mayor Regina Romero

Speaking at today’s Democrats of Greater Tucson (TheDGT.org) meeting, Tucson Councilman Paul Cunningham said, “My plan is to run for mayor. It’s a lifelong dream of mine.”

“And after the death of my father last year, I don’t know how long I want to wait, and I don’t know how much I want to do. But I’m also still a good Democrat who wants to be a team player and wants to make everything work. So I’m navigating that decision,” he said.

“But my plan, if you were to ask me today, is that I’m probably about 90% there on wanting to do it, irrespective of what happens. But there’s still some discussions to be had.”

TheDGT.org presents a Zoom program every Monday at Noon featuring Democratic candidates and elected officials. Over the last 50 years, many candidates have announced their intent to run for office at TheDGT.org meetings.

 ”There’s no campaign and no website yet,” Cunningham said. “So I’m just here to give everybody an update and advocate.”

A battle of the titans

Democratic insiders had expected Cunningham to run, and the race will pit two well-known and admired officials against each other. It is surprising, considering that incumbent Romero, 51, is a popular Latina in a city that is 44% Latino. She has been elected twice – in 2019 and 2023. Previously, she served as a Ward 1 City Council member from 2007 to 2019.

The Mayor and Council Members serve four-year terms. There are no term limits. Cunningham and Romero are both Democrats who would face off in the primary, likely in August 2027.

Cunningham, 48, was appointed in 2010 and elected to a full term in 2011. He was reelected in 2015, 2019 and 2023 — capturing about 64% of the vote. He served as Vice Mayor of Tucson from 2019 to 2021.

He was a Juvenile probation officer in Pima County (1998–2010), working with at-risk youth, and started his career at the Ott Family YMCA, emphasizing youth development. He has been a teacher at Gridley Middle School in the Tucson Unified School District for 10 years.

Dems must turn the Legislature blue

Cunningham stressed that “flipping the legislature is probably the most important piece” for advancing priorities such as subsidized childcare, universal pre-K, and even a single-payer option for children’s healthcare. Locally, he highlighted major Ward 2 improvements, including 20 acres of new parkland, with 10 acres preserved as natural open space, a 2.2-acre park near St. Joseph’s Hospital, and major upgrades at Palo Verde Park funded in part by community donations.

On homelessness, Cunningham emphasized hands-on outreach, noting that his team works in the field weekly and has “facilitated multiple family reunifications” for unhoused individuals. He acknowledged gaps in services, particularly the lack of short-term shelters and transition housing, and proposed solutions such as converting commercial buildings into residential units.

Budget issues dominated much of the discussion. Cunningham criticized inefficiencies in youth sports field reservations and proposed restructuring fees. He also pushed to expand the KidCo after-school program, arguing reforms could increase participation from about 800 families to as many as 3,000 or 4,000. On transit, he noted rising costs—$68 million compared to $43 million pre-COVID—and suggested a pass system that keeps most riders free while improving long-term sustainability.

Public safety concerns included traffic fatalities and police understaffing. Cunningham said Tucson currently has only 17 active motorcycle officers and needs more enforcement capacity.

He sharply criticized state Republicans, saying they “literally single our city out” on funding and water issues. He concluded by urging voters to evaluate candidates personally, emphasizing that authenticity and community connection matter more than scripted political messaging.