FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 26, 2026
Melanie Barrett Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Oro Valley
Oro Valley, AZ – Melanie Barrett today announced her candidacy for Mayor of the Town of Oro Valley, building on 8 years of service as Vice Mayor and a commitment to serving Oro Valley residents, fiscal responsibility, and community leadership.
Barrett holds a law degree from Brigham Young University, where she graduated magna cum laude in 2007 and served on the Law Review. Prior to her over 7 years of service as Vice Mayor, she served nearly 4 years on the Planning and Zoning Commission. She is a married mother of four children and raises her family in Oro Valley.
Barrett has built a record of protecting residents from new taxes while investing wisely in community priorities. Among her major accomplishments, Barrett played a key role in helping to eliminate nearly $2 Million per year in golf operating losses, and reallocating revenues from the golf half percent sales tax towards community priorities. Through this, Barrett led the expansion of Parks and Recreation opportunities – including the buildout of Naranja Park, Community Center amenities, and expanded trail systems – with no new taxes. The funding can now also be utilized for roads and public safety. While there is still work to be done, Barrett is committed to maintaining both the high quality of life and fiscal health she has helped to build in Oro Valley over the last 8 years.
Barrett has been a consistent champion for public safety, helping to rectify a deficit in the police pension, supporting competitive compensation for our officers, and the appointment of Police Chief Kara Riley. She is especially proud that during her time on Council, Oro Valley has been ranked the safest city in Arizona, as well as the #1 safest and wealthiest city in America to retire.
A fiscal conservative, Barrett does not accept special interest funding, and has worked to preserve Oro Valley’s small-town feel, scenic viewsheds, and open space. She has turned down requests for 5 and 6 story apartments, instead limiting developers to 2 and 3 stories, which reflects the desires of Oro Valley residents in the Path Forward Surveys. She advocates for protecting viewsheds and open space while preserving commercially zoned land for quality commercial development that benefits residents by adding retail stores and restaurants.
“I am running for Mayor because I love this community and serving it has been an honor. I would like to continue protecting the things that make Oro Valley special – the beauty, public safety, fiscal responsibility and high quality of life we enjoy. Together, we can keep Oro Valley the special place it is while strengthening it for the future,” Barrett said.
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Melanie Barrett, JD
for Oro Valley Mayor