Glennwilde resident and transportation advocate Kristena “Tena” Dugan announced her intent to run for Maricopa City Council in 2026, sharing the news on social media yesterday.

Dugan posted a Facebook story showing her candidacy paperwork along with a short message asking friends to wish her luck.

She declined to give a statement Thursday, saying she would prefer to speak publicly after meeting with city staff.

Her announcement makes her the second person to declare for the 2026 council race and the first challenger. Councilmember Vincent Manfredi announced his bid for a fourth term in January, saying he was running “because the job I started is not done.”

Dugan, a real estate agent, farmer and former law enforcement officer, also owned the former NAPA Auto Care shop in Maricopa. She has long been involved in civic and transportation initiatives, serving on the city’s Parks, Recreation and Libraries Committee and on Pinal County’s Regional Transportation Authority.

More recently, she served with the 347 Facts Committee and was appointed to Pinal County’s Transportation Advisory Committee in August.

According to the city clerk, three city council seats will be up for election in the Aug. 4 primary. Incumbents Manfredi, Vice Mayor Henry Wade and Councilmember AnnaMarie Knorr, who was appointed in April 2024, are all eligible to seek re-election.

Vincent Manfredi is an owner of InMaricopa.