Tucson Agenda

The Tucson Agenda operates as a distinct sister publication to the Arizona Agenda. It is managed by experienced journalists Caitlin Schmidt and Curt Prendergast, who have dedicated their careers to reporting on the Tucson community.

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Top 3 takeaways, Democratic debate

2 weeks ago | tucsonagenda.substack.com | Joe Ferguson |Hank Stephenson

Attempting to keep five Democrats vying for U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s seat in Tucson’s deep-blue district on message — and actually answering the questions asked — for a full hour qualifies as doing The Lord’s work. So we’ve got nothing but praise for moderators Steve Goldstein and Nohelani Graf, and for everyone at Clean Elections behind Tuesday night’s debate.
Activist vies for CD7 seat

3 weeks ago | tucsonagenda.substack.com | Joe Ferguson |Curt Prendergast

One of the earliest memories for Jose Malvido was living in Ajo during the Great Arizona Copper Strike — his father was a union organizer. The mine was the largest employer in the small rural town, and the strike divided the community. Malvido watched families being forced out of their homes, including a neighbor who was evicted because their home was being seized by eminent domain by the mine.
Farmers market faces an uncertain future

3 weeks ago | tucsonagenda.substack.com | Joe Ferguson |Curt Prendergast

It was never a secret, but few people know about the Garden Kitchen’s mini farmers market operating in South Tucson. For the past 18 months, this now-endangered program has brought fresh produce — grown by refugees and other local farmers — to the parking lot of the Valencia Library once a week. Shoppers can also pick up seasonal bread from Don Guerra, the James Beard Award–winning baker and founder of Barrio Bread.
County talks housing

3 weeks ago | tucsonagenda.substack.com | Joe Ferguson |Curt Prendergast

A few million here, a few million there — and soon we're talking about real money. The Pima County Board of Supervisors is in for another marathon session as it moves closer to finalizing next year’s budget. Reaching agreement — or at least securing a majority — often requires some creative budgetary maneuvering. Like what? Glad you asked. The Board will consider selling five homes, with a possible sixth to be sold separately.
Mayor talks Qatar

3 weeks ago | tucsonagenda.substack.com | Joe Ferguson |Curt Prendergast

Even as news broke that Tucson Mayor Regina Romero traveled to Qatar for an economic forum, many in Tucson knew this wasn’t her first overseas trip representing the Old Pueblo. Heck, we reported on her trips to Portugal, Peru, and Mexico City in 2024 back in February. All those trips were paid for by third parties, which is why they appeared on Romero’s financial disclosure form.
Sunnyside to the US House?

4 weeks ago | tucsonagenda.substack.com | Joe Ferguson |Curt Prendergast

As a young adult, Daniel Hernandez spent time training as a nursing assistant and as a phlebotomist. Jumping into the world of politics — and never looking back — would come later. “I actually did two years of cancer research at the University of Arizona Cancer Center thinking I would go into healthcare,” Hernandez said. Hernandez got into politics in 2008 while attending the University of Arizona, lobbying as a part of the Arizona Students Association.
Let them fight

1 month ago | tucsonagenda.substack.com | Joe Ferguson |Curt Prendergast

The Democrats vying for their party’s nomination to replace Raúl Grijalva in Congressional District 7 clashed over their voting records, donors and the future of mining in Arizona during an hour-long televised forum in Phoenix on Tuesday night. It was a five-person debate featuring Deja Foxx, Adelita Grijalva, Daniel Hernandez, Patrick Harris and Jose Malvido. But it was a two-person brawl, as the two frontrunners, Hernandez and Grijalva, spent much of their time landing attacks on each other.
Better know your district: CD7

1 month ago | tucsonagenda.substack.com | Joe Ferguson |Curt Prendergast

We’ve always been huge fans of Stephen Colbert’s “Better Know a District” gag, in which the comedian spent roughly 10 years trying to document all 435 U.S. congressional districts. And as Southern Arizona voters prepare to elect a new member of Congress to represent them for the first time in 22 years in the wake of former U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s death, it seems like an ideal moment to introduce you to Congressional District 7.
From campus to the capitol?

1 month ago | tucsonagenda.substack.com | Joe Ferguson |Curt Prendergast

At just 16 years old, Deja Foxx stood in a town hall and challenged a U.S. senator — a moment that kicked off a decade of political defiance and grassroots advocacy. Even before her viral confrontation with Sen. Jeff Flake that launched her into social media stardom, Foxx had been challenging school board policies in Tucson.
A bill everyone hates

1 month ago | tucsonagenda.substack.com | Joe Ferguson |Curt Prendergast

Well, that escalated quickly. Reaction to the passage of President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” in the U.S. House of Representatives — just after 4 a.m. Arizona time on Thursday morning — was swift and critical from Tucson Democrats, particularly those running for Congress.