/ Modified aug 30, 2019 3:49 p.m.

Regina Romero reflects on primary victory and strategies for general

Romero handily won the Democratic primary race for Tucson mayor.

The day after Tucson’s primary election, Democratic mayoral nominee Regina Romero sat down with Lorraine Rivera to discuss her victory and her campaign’s strategy in the run-up to the general election in November.

“We’re not going to change. This is the message that I’ve worked hard for the last 12 years on the City Council,” Romero said. “Those are the issues that brought us to this point. And we're going to continue having that discussion with the general election voters.”

After the polls closed Tuesday, Romero said her campaign expected it would take longer to determine the winner. Instead, cheers erupted moments after the city posted the first results that put her well ahead over her opponents Randi Dorman and Steve Farley. Romero said both candidates have since called to offer their support and she would like to unite the Democratic party. While going door-to-door to reach undecided voters, Romero said she often heard how they’re affected by rhetoric from the White House.

“When I hit the doors, I heard people saying, ‘Yes, I’m going to vote for mayor, but I am so concerned about what’s happening in D.C.,’” Romero said. “I have faith Tucsonans want someone to take a stand against racist rhetoric, against the hate and division that Trump is spewing out.”

On the issue of the sanctuary city initiative voters will also consider in November, Romero said she would work to uphold it if it passes despite not supporting the measure herself.

“If the voters pass this initiative, then I will defend the will of the voters. First, because I’ve always maintained that the state Legislature and the governor have been trying to micromanage the city of Tucson for at least 10 years or more,” Romero said. “I wish we would have been able to have a discussion with those people that wrote the sanctuary city initiative because 60% of what the initiative calls for we’re already doing in the city of Tucson.”

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