There are now two new Democratic candidates running for the Pima County Supervisors District 5 seat left vacant after Supervisor Richard Elias died this past Saturday.
Consuelo Hernandez filed a Statement of Interest as well as a Statement of Organization with the Pima County Elections Department on Monday, according to Mary Martinson, elections unit supervisor for Pima County Elections Department.
Hernandez is currently running for Pima County Recorder after long-time county recorder F. Ann Rodriguez announced she will not seek reelection for an eighth term. It is unclear whether or not Hernandez intends to run for both offices. Should she win both campaigns, she would have to choose which office she planned to serve.
Adelita Grijalva also filed a statement of interest for the District 5 seat yesterday. However, she has yet to file a statement of organization at this time. Grijalva’s decision to run is supported by Elias’ surviving wife and daughter, Emily, and Luz, according to Grijalva’s Facebook post announcement.
Grijalva’s father, Congressman Raul Grijalva served as a Pima County Supervisor for District 5 from 1989 to 2002, when he resigned his position to run for Arizona’s 7th congressional district. Elias was appointed to her father’s vacant seat.
While the primary election is in August, the four remaining supervisors will have to choose a replacement for Elias to serve the remainder of his term. Supervisors are expected to discuss that process, which normally involves interviews and forums with applicants, at the next regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, April 7, according to Pima County Supervisor Sharon Bronson.
This article appears in Mar 26 – Apr 1, 2020.
Anyone wanting to sign a nominating petition for any of the District 5 democratic candidates for Elias’ seat (there are now five of them) is invited to come by the office of the Pima County Democratic Party (4639 E. 1st St.) between 11 and 2 today (Thursday) through Saturday. Because signatures are due on April 6, there is a drive-by signature collection, in accordance with social distancing norms. All candidates for this seat have been invited to bring their signature petitions to the office–so y’all come too, to sign for the candidate of your choice.