Marana 2026 election guide: What candidates say about ICE detention center, data center
The Marana Town Council approved rezoning 600 acres for a new data center, a decision now facing a civil case in the Arizona Court of Appeals. The data center project has generated significant community disagreement and is a key issue in the upcoming July primary election. Residents will vote on candidates whose stance on these issues could alter the town's future approach.
Marana, Arizona, is at a crossroads as its July primary election looms, with two major controversial issues—the construction of a large-scale data center and the opening of an immigration detention center—shaping the political landscape. The Marana Town Council's unanimous decision in January to approve rezoning 600 acres for the data center has been met with significant community disagreement and is currently the subject of a civil case before the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division Two, with oral arguments scheduled for August 19.
The approaching July 21 primary will determine the town's next mayor and four council members, with candidates' positions on the data center and detention center playing a crucial role. Current Mayor Jon Post and three council incumbents, Herb Kai, John Officer, and Teri Murphy, are seeking reelection. They face five challengers, including Greg Johnsen, who is running for mayor under the "Marana for the People" umbrella alongside council candidates Jackie McGuire, Sue Ritz, and Julie Prince. The election outcome could significantly shift Marana's future approach to these high-profile developments.