Florence Mayor Tara Walter has officially announced her candidacy for Pinal County school superintendent.

The announcement was Walter’s first official declaration for the position, but it had been expected, especially when she opted not to run for a third term as mayor. Walter will be going up against long-time incumbent Jill Broussard who has held the seat for more than 11 years.

“I believe in term limits. While the Town of Florence does not have term limits set, I am setting the example,” Walter stated in a press release. “I established my priorities and goals, accomplishing them over the past eight years as mayor. At this time, I plan to utilize my background, experience and knowledge of both education and government to make a positive impact for our Pinal County youth.”

Walter stated that she has taught at  various grade levels from kindergarten through 12^th grade since 2000, serving the past 12 years as an administrator.

She holds two master’s degrees in education from Northern Arizona University and two bachelor’s degrees from the State University of New York.

Walter was elected as a town council member in 2012 and was selected as vice mayor in 2014. She was elected to her first term as mayor in 2016 and was reelected in 2020.

“I will prioritize efficient management with fiscal responsibility, school safety and teacher support and training,” Walter stated in the release. “I believe in providing top-notch education for our youth, and I am committed to ensuring that our students have the resources they need to succeed.”