Sierra Vista Vice Mayor Carolyn Flowers is running for mayor after eight years on the city council, saying her experience in local government and deep roots in the community have prepared her to lead the city.

Mayor Clea McCaa, who has held the seat since 2023, announced in December that he will not seek reelection and is planning to pursue a run for Arizona's 6th Congressional District.

Flowers will face challengers Mark Rodriguez, Brandon Martin and Steven Stefanov in the Nov. 4 race. The election will also fill four council seats, one more than usual due to a recent council resignation.

Flowers moved to Sierra Vista in 2008 and has been appointed vice mayor twice during her time on the city council. She said her time on the council, her experience serving on the board of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and her role as a council liaison for multiple commissions have prepared her to take on the role of mayor.

"I do have a deep understanding of how the city works, how the government works, how to get things done realistically," Flowers told Tucson Spotlight. "I've spent years working on these issues that matter to residents and I'm very proud of my record of always putting the community's priorities first."

Flowers said she believes working in government is a way to give back to the place she calls home.

"I'm running for mayor because I love Sierra Vista. (There's) a saying when you love something or someone, you take care of it," Flowers said. "That's how I see my serving on the city council. It's my way of taking care of the place and the people that I love."

Flowers' campaign focuses on securing funding to improve city infrastructure, maintaining public safety and supporting veterans and local businesses.

She said her core priorities include supporting Fort Huachuca and the military community, promoting economic prosperity, protecting water resources and the area's natural character, keeping Sierra Vista affordable and expanding opportunities and amenities for youth and families.

As a former small business owner in Sierra Vista, Flowers said she's familiar with the hard work and time it takes to run a business.

"I had a dog grooming shop. I finally closed the doors to my shop (a few years ago,) but I was open from … August 2009 to December 2024," Flowers said. "I had after the first year, …400 steady clients. It was a very popular business and I absolutely loved it, but it also gave me firsthand experience of running a small business in Sierra Vista."

Flowers said local government can be an asset to small businesses and that she wants to improve communication between the city and business owners.

"I think the city's role is to create an environment where … businesses can succeed (and) to not be in their way. (This) means maintaining the infrastructure, streamlining processes, supporting workforce development and then we have a bunch of organizations we can partner with that help promote economic growth," Flowers said.

Sierra Vista's veteran community should not be overlooked, Flowers said, adding that several members of the council are veterans or are married to veterans.

"We have the largest per capita veteran populace here in Cochise County. It can't be understated that we have so many veterans here and it really is a characteristic of our community," Flowers said. "Once you live a life of service like that and retire, you tend to continue serving … even after you retire because it's just not in your nature to sit back and not continue to give."

Flowers said she's passionate about serving the community and believes she can be the leader to help it improve.

"This is my home. This is the longest I've lived anywhere," she said. "I'm rooted here and I'm committed to our future. … I offer a combination of experience, proven leadership and community involvement."

Nya Belcastro is a University of Arizona student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at nya2005@arizona.edu.

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