District 5 Supervisor Adelita Grijalva resigned on April 4, 2025 to run for the CD 7 Congressional seat vacated by the death on March 13 of her father Raul Grijalva. He had served 22 years in that seat, and died from lung cancer at age 77. His daughter had followed in his footsteps to serve on the TUSD Governing Board for 20 years, then 4 years on the Pima County Board of Supervisors, representing District 5.
Today April 15, the Pima County Bd. of Supervisors met in regular session and considered the 6 applicants who sought the appointment to the remainder of this District 5 seat, to December 2026. Adelita had just been re-elected in Nov. 2024 after first elected in Nov. 2020.
A League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson virtual forum for the applicants had been held on April 9. The applicants were Lewis Araiza Sr., Kimberly Baeza, Andres Cano, Richard Hernandez, Karla Morales( on PCC Governing Board), Cynthia Sosa Ontiveros. Hernandez did not participate in the forum.
Supervisor Jen Allen made the motion to appoint Cano, 2nd by Supervisor Matt Heinz. The motion passed 3-0 with Supervisor Rex Scott voting yes, and Supervisor Steve Christy absent.
Andres Cano had ironically been an aide to former District 5 Supervisor Richard Elias (2012 to 2019). He had been elected to Az House for 3 terms (2019 to 2023), representing LD 3 and LD 20. Andres had resigned his House position in July 2023 to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration at Harvard University. He was serving as the City of Tucson’s Director of Federal & State Relations prior to today’s appointment.
Congratulations to Andres upon his appointment. The late Supervisor Richard Elias would have been so proud of you, to succeed him in this office.
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Also today, Andres held an invitation-only celebratory event at the Historic Pima County Courthouse, with a ceremonial 2nd swearing-in, plus speeches. In attendance: Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher, D 1 Supervisor Rex Scott, former D 5 Supervisors Adelita Grijalva and Betty Villegas (now LD 20 Rep.), Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly, Mayor Regina Romero, LD 18 Rep. Chris Mathis, LD 21 Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, Patrick Robles for US Senator Ruben Gallego, JPs Charlene Pesquiera, Kristel Foster, former JP Kendrick Wilson, former AZ State Senator Kirsten Engel, Miranda Schubert (Ward 6 candidate) former Ward 1 Councilman/House Rep. Bruce Wheeler. Eva Dong Carrillo, former Sunnyside School Bd. spoke as did Andres after the swearing in. His mother, brother present along with Emily Velde,widow of late D5 Supervisor Richard Elias, his daughter Luz & husband, his brother Albert Elias. Lots of Dem activists and staffers present as well. Plus Andres’ extended family.
Guest opinion by new Supervisor Andres today in AZ Daily Star: https://tucson.com/opinion/column/article_26668e94-40b2-4b7d-844e-549f68b5433b.html
Congratulations Andres! GREAT appointment!