{"id":3339,"date":"2026-07-10T05:03:45","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T05:03:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=3339"},"modified":"2026-07-10T05:03:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T05:03:45","slug":"benson-candidates-reflect-on-recall-election-ahead-of-primary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=3339","title":{"rendered":"Benson candidates reflect on recall election ahead of primary"},"content":{"rendered":"
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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – With primary elections 12 days away, candidates in Benson are reflecting on a recall election that removed three city council members just two months ago.<\/p>\n

Read more ICS hosting annual Peanut Butter Party Food Drive<\/a><\/p>\n

There are several city council seats and the mayoral seat up for grabs.<\/p>\n

The recall stemmed from the city\u2019s handling of a proposed aluminum smelting plant by Aluminum Dynamics, which has since been canceled.<\/b><\/u><\/i> Candidates gathered for a town hall on Thursday, July 9, and discussed the recall\u2019s lasting impact on the community.<\/p>\n

Former Benson Mayor Tony King, now running for mayor again, said the situation has been unlike anything he has seen in his political career.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never seen it like this before. After 25 years, nine terms, I have never seen that in my life,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n

King said the fallout from the aluminum plant controversy has had a lasting effect on the town.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt totally destroyed our community, I believe, and the trust is not there,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n

Levi Johnson, one of the three council members ousted in the recall, is now running for mayor. He said he has spent time reflecting on what went wrong during his time on the council.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid I give 100% of it? Looking back, I really didn\u2019t. I really wanted to respond to people, but at the time, it\u2019s like how do you respond when you yourself really don\u2019t understand a lot of the information that\u2019s being pushed out?\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n

Johnson said changes to how the city handles planning and zoning are needed going forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it all came to be, they didn\u2019t get everything that they needed,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cWe need to really revitalize and change how planning and zoning is conducted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more Attorney says doctor and hospital are liable for Gilbert toddler found alive in morgue<\/a><\/p>\n

Both candidates pointed to transparency as a central issue heading into the election.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey really wanted transparency, and I 100% agree that it needs to be given,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n

King echoed that sentiment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe gotta be very transparent. We have to take a stand there. When we go to say something, it\u2019s gotta be real,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n

Mark Boyle, who won a council seat in the recall election by ousting Johnson, is also now having to defend that seat in the upcoming primary.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, King said he hopes the attention on Benson sends a broader message to other communities across southern Arizona.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first message is remember who elected us. The power of the people can make a change any time they want,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n

Primary Election Day is July 21, and the general election is Nov. 3.<\/p>\n

Are you streaming 13 News?<\/p>\n

Watch a free live stream of Tucson Now and 13 News at TucsonNow.Live.<\/p>\n

Be sure to download the free Tucson Now app, which you can find on Apple and Google.<\/p>\n

If you are using a desktop computer, you can use your mobile device to scan the QR code below.<\/p>\n

Read more \u2018It\u2019s very tragic\u2019: Father accused of killing 5-year-old son in stabbing at apartment<\/a><\/p>\n

You can submit your breaking news or weather images here.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With primary elections 12 days away, candidates in Benson are reflecting on a recall election that removed three city council members just two months ago, as several city council seats and the mayoral seat are again up for grabs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":555,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interesting"],"yoast_head":"\nBenson candidates reflect on recall election ahead of primary - Tucson Moving Report<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=3339\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Benson candidates reflect on recall election ahead of primary - 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