Tucson City Council Member Takes Step Back From Duties

TUCSON — Tucson City Council member Paul Durham announced Friday that he will be temporarily taking a step back from his duties while his husband battles terminal cancer.

Durham, who has represented Ward 3 on the city council since he was elected in 2017, made the statement in his weekly newsletter.

“I write to inform you that I will step back from my duties on a temporary basis starting immediately," the letter said. "I do so in order to recover from a recent injury and to ensure that I can properly support my husband, who is undergoing aggressive treatment for terminal cancer. This has been a challenging time for both of us. Thank you for the support that you have offered to our family."

It is unclear what kind of injury Durham suffered or how long this hiatus will last. But Durham's letter did indicate that he will be in contact with his team during his absence to ensure Ward 3 needs are met. Tucson city code dictates that it will not be considered a vacancy unless an official has been absent for 30 days or if an incapacitated elected official cannot perform duties for two months.

Durham claimed a victory Wednesday evening when the city council passed his proposal to declare a climate emergency in Tucson. The plan, which was a joint effort with Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, pledges that all city departments will be carbon neutral by 2030.