Mike Hellon, the former chairman of the Arizona Republican Party and a onetime Republican national committeeman, jumped into the race for Pima County Supervisor yesterday.

Hellon, who last ran an unsuccessful campaign for Congress in 2006, wants the job of retiring Pima County Supervisor Ann Day.

“This is not a decision I made lightly,” Hellon said in a press release announcing his filing of paperwork with county elections department. “I have been persuaded that strong leadership is needed on the board of supervisors from District 1 and I believe I have the background and experience to meet that challenge.”

Hellon isn’t the only Republican candidate in the race for the District 1 seat, which includes the Catalina Foothills and Oro Valley. Tea Party activist Ally Miller has been campaigning for the seat, as has mortgage broker Stuart McDaniel.

State Rep. Vic Williams is also considering a run in the GOP primary, although he’s held off on making any announcements because he would have had to give up his legislative seat under Arizona’s resign-to-run law.

The only Democrat to talk about running for the seat Nancy Young Wright, who has previously served in the Arizona House of Representatives and on the Amphi School Board.