I wish it were a popular race. Genser says he was encouraged by victories by Bob Walkup, the first Republican to be elected mayor in Tucson since 1983, and Republican Supervisor Ray Carroll's victory in eastside and Green Valley District 4. But a popular race it is not. Genser will face state Sen. Ann Day and state Rep. Dan Schottel in the GOP primary for District 1, an anvil-shaped district that covers a big portion of central Tucson as far south as Broadway before expanding into the foothills and Oro Valley. Mike Boyd, a Republican, is giving up the seat after two terms.
Day has big bucks, money given by Phoenix business, lobbyists and political action committees.
Some she piled up despite the absence of opposition only to convert that money to a run for the Board of Supervisors. But Day is no Lunn. While he was criticized for coasting, he was bright, quick and talented when pressed. Schottel faces the same daunting task and is being piloted by Rod Cramer, a consultant who failed to beat Lunn in 1988 but who had a hand in the upset and surprise victory by Paul Marsh in District 4 in 1992. A decent sort, Marsh, with Cramer as his aide, was overwhelmed by both his lack of ability and his allegiance to then-Board majority leader Ed Moore and was booted after only one term.