| Contact: Andy Squire Public Information Officer City Manager’s Office 520-306-0080 andrew.squire@tucsonaz.gov Date: April 11, 2025TDD: (520) 791-2639 |
| “WARD 5 COUNCIL MEMBER RICHARD FIMBRES ANNOUNCES RETIREMENTTucson City Council Member Richard Fimbres will be resigning from his Ward 5 City Council seat and retiring at the close of business on Thursday, May 1. A lifelong resident of Ward 5, Council Member Fimbres was elected to office in 2009 and through his work with neighborhood community leaders, business leaders, and his elected colleagues in the City, County, and State, Ward 5 experienced transformational growth and economic opportunity during his 16 years representing his constituents and the greater Tucson community. In his notification letter to Mayor Regina Romero and the City Clerk, Fimbres stated that “Serving as the Ward 5 Councilman and representing the Ward 5 constituents since 2009 has been an honor and privilege. However, my personal health issues now compel me to step aside from my duties as a public servant…. I had hoped to complete my current term of office, but I need to turn my full attention to my family and my health. I’m providing you this notice now so that you and my peers on the Council can begin the steps you choose to take to fill the vacancy that will occur on the effective date of my resignation.”“It has been my honor to work with Richard Fimbres on issues that matter to Tucsonans, said Mayor Romero. “He founded the Homeless Work Program, an innovative public/private partnership that has helped hundreds of our unsheltered neighbors. He worked to create the Buffalo Soldier’s Memorial to recognize the contributions of African American Soldiers in Southern Arizona. Richard focused on veterans’ issues and always worked to protect workers and the most vulnerable in our community. Our collaboration with neighbors on the Santa Rita Park Master Plan is an excellent example of his positive impact to reinvest in Ward 5 neighborhoods. I am grateful for his service and wish him the best as he retires to focus on his health and family after a long career in public service. On behalf of the residents of Tucson, thank you for your service, my friend.” In addition to his service on the council, Fimbres, a Vietnam-era Army veteran, has been a champion for veterans’ issues, served 32 years with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, and served as director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. He was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2021.“Richard Fimbres’ work on the City Council leaves a lasting legacy in Tucson,” said City Manager Timothy Thomure. “He worked tirelessly to facilitate, as he accurately called it many times at the council table, a ‘Ward 5 Renaissance’. The Bridges is a prime example of this ‘renaissance’ as it brought much needed economic opportunity and service amenities to Tucson’s south side residents.”Other examples of successful economic development projects that Council Member Fimbres worked to make happen in our community and in Ward 5 include the expansion of Raytheon, the opening of the HomeGoods Distribution Center, GEICO’s Regional Headquarters, and Chamberlain Garage Doors. The City Charter provides for the filling of a vacancy on the council, including a vacancy caused by the resignation of a council member. Under Chapter VIII, Sec. 2 of the Charter, the Mayor and Council will select a qualified elector of Ward 5 to fill the vacancy caused by Council Member Fimbres’ resignation. That selection will take place at a regular or special session of the Mayor and Council. The person selected by the Mayor and Council will serve as the Ward 5 council member for the remainder of the existing term. The Ward 5 council seat is up for election this November. Please contact Andy Squire, PIO City Manager’s Office, with any media inquiries at Andrew.Squire@tucsonaz.gov or via text / mobile at 520-306-0080. “ |
Carolyn’s note: Councilman Richard Fimbres (D) served almost 4 terms on the Tucson City Council. Running for this open Ward 5 seat in the August 5, 2025 primary are 4 Democrats: Selina Barajas (urban planner), Fabian Danobeytia (hip hop artist), Chris Elsner (UA Peace Corps employee) and Jesse Lugo (businessman/activist, ran for AZ House & Ward 5 before). Stay tuned for process for applicants of Ward 5 to fill this seat to December 2025. Thank you Richard for your years of service to Ward 5 and the City of Tucson.
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From City of Tucson Newsnet 4/23/25:
PROCESS BEGINS TO FILL UPCOMING WARD 5 COUNCIL VACANCY – Tucson’s Mayor and Council yesterday, April 22, began the appointment process to fill the Ward 5 council seat in an interim capacity through the upcoming November election. Richard Fimbres will be retiring from his Ward 5 seat at the close of business Thursday, May 1. He was elected to office in 2009. Under the City of Tucson’s Charter, the appointee must be someone who has been a qualified elector who has lived in city limits for the last three years and lived in Ward 5 for at least one year. Resumes and letters of interest should be emailed to CityClerk@tucsonaz.gov by Thursday, May 1, at 9 a.m. A financial disclosure form also will be required. Applicants will make a short presentation at the Mayor and Council Special Meeting on Tuesday, May 6, at or after 3 p.m., and the appointment could be made thereafter.
City Clerk’s notice of vacancy
Watch the Mayor and Council item
Read the qualifications and procedure memo
Richard is a well known friend, served with him in military. Always been like a brother to me. Congratulations on your retirement. Enjoy life n spending more time with your family n your beautiful wife; Mary. Love u both.
Stella, I don’t know Richard too well, only through political events, but he has always been friendly and gracious to me and my husband. As you expressed, we hope that he can now enjoy retirement with his family.