The poll also found that about half of the respondents within the city limits and those outside are “pessimistic” about a new Tucson mayor being elected to replace Democrat Jonathan Rothschild, who retires from the post in January.

Beard said it isn’t surprising to find voters skeptical of who might be the next mayor.

“You go with the devil you know versus the one you don’t know, that is just human nature,” Beard said.

A total of eight people have filed formal paperwork with the city to run for mayor, but it is too early to know how many will end up on the 2019 ballot. Candidates still need to turn in signatures to qualify for the ballot, and the city won’t accept those until next year.

Beard said that Rothschild is seen as a moderate on Tucson’s city council, keeping his fellow Democrats from embracing radical ideas.

“One of the things that Jonathan had going for him — political speaking and it is a relatively low bar — is that he was able to keep the crazies, so to speak, on the City Council from being completely insane,” Beard said.

Rogers also offered praise for Rothschild but said his popularity came from his hard work and sincere interest in leading the city forward.

“He has been able to shepherd us in what I think is probably — certainly in the 40 years I’ve been in Tucson — an almost unprecedented economic development and growth in the city,” Rogers said.

Contact reporter Joe Ferguson at jferguson@tucson.com or 573-4197. On Twitter: @JoeFerguson.

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