Barrett, Napier both in race for Oro Valley mayor | News

Two Oro Valley residents have expressed formal interest in succeeding Joe Winfield as mayor.

Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett has filed a “statement of interest” in the mayoral seat, a necessary step before the collection of signatures can begin, according to a town spokesperson.

Barrett had already filed an interest statement. Mark Napier has further submitted a “statement of organization” for his mayoral bid.

In addition to those two, statements of interest have been filed by town council candidates Christopher DeSimone, Jacob Herrington, Dan Karlsberg, Rhonda Pina and Matt Wood.

Statements of organization, not required until a candidate has spent or received $500 or more on a campaign, have been filed by DeSimone, Napier and Pina, the spokesperson added.

Individuals become official candidates once their required paperwork and signatures are filed with the town clerk’s office. That filing period runs from March 9 to April 6. Candidates must submit not less than 525 valid signatures, and not more than 1,050, to be placed on the Aug. 4 ballot, according to the town clerk’s office.

Winfield, the two-term mayor, announced last year he does not intend to seek a third 4-year term. Four-year council seats now held by Barrett, Joyce  Jones-Ivey and Josh Nicolson also go before the voters this summer.