Bob Walkup

Robert E. Walkup (born November 14, 1936) served as the 40th Mayor of Tucson, Arizona from 1999 to 2011. He is the last Mayor of Tucson that was a member of the Republican Party.

Bob Walkup
40th Mayor of Tucson
In office
December 6, 1999[1] – December 5, 2011
Preceded byGeorge Miller
Succeeded byJonathan Rothschild
Personal details
Born (1936-11-14) November 14, 1936
Ames, Iowa, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Beth Walkup
ResidenceTucson, Arizona
Alma materIowa State University
ProfessionIndustrial engineer

Biography

Career

Walkup holds a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Iowa State University and served in the U.S. Army. Before becoming involved in politics, he was an engineer and executive in the aerospace industry for 35 years. He worked for Rockwell International, Fairchild Republic, and Hughes Aircraft Company.

Walkup also served as the former chairman of the Tucson Economic Council.[1]

Mayor of Tucson

Walkup was first elected on November 2, 1999, defeating Democratic former City Councilwoman Molly McKasson and local businessman Bob Beaudry. Benefitting from a split in the Democratic vote,[2] he was sworn into office on December 6, 1999, succeeding two-term Tucson Mayor George Miller, who retired from office as the city's longest serving official.[1] Walkup became the first Republican mayor of Tucson since 1983.[3]

Proposition 400 was approved simultaneously with Mayor Walkup's election. Prop 400 created the Rio Nuevo Multi-Purpose Facility District. The City Manager, James Keene, was appointed as Executive Director of the Rio Nuevo Multi-Purpose Facility District Board.

Walkup was re-elected for a second term November 4, 2003, narrowly defeating Democratic former Mayor Tom Volgy.[4] He was re-elected for a third term on November 6, 2007, defeating a Green Party candidate with 72% of the vote.[5] after the Democrats failed to field a candidate.[6]

Walkup announced on February 22, 2011 that he would not seek re-election after his current term ends in December.[7] Democrat Jonathan Rothschild won the election and was sworn into office on December 5, 2011.[8]

References
  1. "Tucson's longest serving official leaves office". Associated Press via The Daily Courier. 1999-12-06. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
  2. "The Skinny: Top Dog". Tucson Weekly. 2001-02-15. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
  3. Nintzel, Jim (2003-06-19). "City Hall Brawl". Tucson Weekly. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
  4. Simmons, Devin & Greg Holt (2003-11-05). "UA prof trails in mayoral election". Arizona Daily Wildcat. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
  5. "2007 election results summary". USA Today. 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
  6. Rotstein, Arthur H. (2007-10-29). "Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup seen as likely to win third term". Fox11AZ.com. Archived from the original on 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
  7. Bodfield, Rhonda (2011-02-22). "Pueblo Politics: Walkup won't seek re-election". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
  8. Smith, Craig (1999-12-06). "New Tucson Mayor sworn in". KGUN. Archived from the original on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
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