Tim Steller’s column: Catholic charity’s power up for vote in South Tucson

South Tucson voters are choosing three City Council members in an election that has put Casa Maria’s growing role in city government under scrutiny. Brian Flagg, Roxanna Valenzuela and Cesar Aguirre are seeking reelection. All three are affiliated with Casa Maria, a Catholic Worker Movement-aligned charity that, along with its sister group, Barrios Unidos Land Trust, owns properties in the city.

Casa Maria-affiliated candidates gained a five-member majority on the seven-member council after the 2024 election. Valenzuela is the mayor, while another council member, Pablo Robles, was hired by Casa Maria after winning his seat. The charity and land trust own 10 South Tucson properties, including motels and a trailer park, with the stated goal of keeping housing affordable and away from speculative buyers.

Critics say the overlap creates potential conflicts, especially when the city handles complaints, permits or legal disputes involving Casa Maria properties. Flagg has supported efforts against property owner Brian Bowers, including a city lawsuit over the condition of his apartment buildings, after previously discussing the possibility of buying some of Bowers’ properties. Flagg says he is pursuing one goal, preventing gentrification, through both his charity work and public office.

The election includes eight candidates for three seats. Debbie Federico and Zeke Cook are running together, while Eduardo Baca, Christopher Dodson and Diana Moreno-Sears are on another slate. The contest comes as South Tucson faces major financial and quality-of-life challenges, including the loss of its only supermarket, concerns about a possible Walgreens closure, vacant or unfinished Casa Maria properties and a need for more tax revenue.