From the Old Pueblo

Tucson Daily Brief

The Tucson news you’d otherwise miss, by Nicholas De Leon.

Who They Are: Oro Valley

The Town of Oro Valley, population about 48,000, has a council-manager government: a mayor and six council members, elected at large on even-year ballots, hire a town manager who runs the departments. The July 21 primary settled the November election, so the top of this chart changes Nov. 4.

Also: Pima County · Tucson · Marana · Congress · Arizona Legislature

Elected: 7Appointed: 8Changing: 8
The voters of Oro Valley
Every seat below descends from here, directly or through the people they elect.
Mayor and Council12 people

Four-year terms, elected at large in even years. The 2022 class (mayor plus three seats) ends Nov. 4, 2026; the 2024 class runs to November 2028. Winners who clear a majority in the July primary are elected outright, which is what happened in 2026.

Taking office Nov. 4, 2026

Town Manager2 people

Hired by the council. Runs the town's departments and proposes the budget.

Town attorney and department directors5 people

The town attorney reports to the council; the directors report to the manager. Listed here are the ones who have presented to the council in our reporting.

What's changing

  • Joseph C. Winfield, Mayor: Did not seek re-election. Melanie Barrett takes office as mayor Nov. 4, 2026.
  • Josh Nicolson, Council Member: Term ends Nov. 4, 2026; was not a candidate in the July primary.
  • Joyce Jones-Ivey, Council Member: Term ends Nov. 4, 2026; was not a candidate in the July primary.
  • Matt Wood, Council Member: Takes office Nov. 4, 2026. Elected July 21, 2026, with 7,436 votes.
  • Melanie Barrett, Council Member: Elected mayor July 21, 2026, with 8,471 votes to Mark Napier's 6,359. Sworn in Nov. 4; her council seat goes to one of the three incoming members.
  • Melanie Barrett, Mayor: Takes office Nov. 4, 2026. Elected July 21, 2026 (8,471 votes, 57%).
  • Rhonda Piña, Council Member: Takes office Nov. 4, 2026. Elected July 21, 2026, with 7,866 votes. Served on the council 2016 to 2020. The town canvass spells the name Pina; her campaign uses Piña.
  • Rosa Dailey, Council Member: Takes office Nov. 4, 2026. Elected July 21, 2026, with 8,661 votes, the most of any council candidate.

Seats and terms come from each government's own pages and election canvasses; each person's list of reports is drawn from What They Decided. Tell us what's wrong or missing: nicholas@tucsondailybrief.com.