District 3 voters will choose a new supervisor for Pima County this year.

It's been more than 40 years since there was an open seat in the 3rd District, a vast rural district larger than the state of Connecticut. District 3 includes downtown Tucson and parts of Marana, the community of Three Points, the Tohoho O'odham Reservation, Ajo, Lukeville, and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuges, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. Includes federal reserves such as It borders Mexico.

Democrat Sharon Bronson, who served the district for 27 years, resigned late last year after falling at her home and breaking some of her ribs. The Board of Supervisors has appointed former Pima Community College Trustee Sylvia Lee to a term that expires at the end of 2024, but Lee is not interested in running for her full term, she said.

Thirty-six percent of voters in the district are Democrats, but 28% are registered Republicans and 36% are not registered with any major party.

Four Democratic candidates are running in the July 30 primary: Jennifer Allen, April Hiocic Ignacio, Miguel Cuevas, and Edgar Soto.

2024 Pima County Board of Supervisors Election

Contentious election issues emerge for Pima County Board of Supervisors

Rematch erupts in District 1 Pima County supervisor race

Heinz faces challenge seeking second term on Pima County Board of Supervisors

Allen, who has worked for the immigrant rights nonprofit Border Action Network, the League of Conservation Voters and the ACLU of Arizona, said her experience prepared her to tackle many of the county's issues.

“I am a leading advocate working to improve people’s lives, whether it’s fighting climate change, protecting civil rights, advancing democracy, or advocating for humane solutions to difficult situations at our borders. I’ve built a career in the organization,” Allen told the Sentinel.

“I'm running because Pima County faces real challenges on all of these issues and more, and we have the knowledge, experience and vision that the county needs to successfully navigate this critical juncture. Because I believe that I have a collaborative leadership style. Because my family and my future are here in Pima County, I am committed to not only improving the lives of all residents, but also to my son. and running to build a better future for generations to come,” she said.

Allen had already been planning to challenge Bronson before the longtime coach resigned last year, giving him a head start over his challengers. As of Dec. 31, she had raised $40,290, of which $29,615 came from six members of her family and $1,000 from her own wallet.

Her campaign co-chairs are Carolyn Campbell, executive director of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Coalition, a longtime environmental stalwart, and Pascua Yaqui Attorney General Fred Urbina. She has received support from U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, Tucson City Council members Kevin Dahl, Lane Santa Cruz, Paul Cunningham and former Congressman Ron Barber.

Ignacio works for the O'odham Ki:ki Association, a tribal housing agency, and co-founded Indivisible Tohono, a grassroots organization that encourages citizen participation. She is vice chair of the Arizona Democratic Party and serves on the Arizona Missing and Murdered Indians Task Force.

Ignacio said he would like to have a representative from Tohono O'odham on the board of supervisors.

“This is where my ancestors lived, this is where my people live,” Ignacio told the Sentinel. “I'm very proud of that and I'm mindful that there's no place in Pima County that doesn't have a Tohono O'odham footprint. What's important to me is that at least the rural residents of Pima County It's about trying to be representative. Our issues are unique and we deserve candidates who can speak from lived experience.”

Mr. Cuevas served on the Tucson Unified School District Board from 2009 to 2012 and currently works with technology companies such as Uber, Coinbase and Priceline on customer service initiatives.

“As a Pima County native, I am running for the vacant seat because I believe I can use my extensive private sector experience in Tucson and around the world to serve our community,” Cuevas told the Sentinel in an email. he said. Focus on the issues that matter most to District 3 residents: strengthening the local economy, protecting the Sonoran Desert, working to reduce homelessness, and improving county roads. ”

Soto, vice president of Pima Community College Desert Vista, is the latest candidate in the race, filing a letter of intent to run for political office for the first time on January 24th. He told the Tucson Sentinel that his education and his work in the sports world prepared him for the job.

“I am not a career politician, but I am committed to building a path to prosperity for our communities in Pima County,” Soto said. “My passion for public service and desire to help others succeed has guided my career.…People want to be noticed, heard, and valued. , I want to make sure those voices are heard. I'm willing to work with anyone who wants to build community and solve tough problems. ”

Marana City School Board member Kathryn Mikronis, who filed to run in the election last year, told the Sentinel that she is suspending her campaign and expressing her support for Allen. She has filed to run for magistrate judge in the 10th Precinct, where Republican Judge Vince Roberts could face Republican challenger Robert J. Forman.

Former state Rep. Andres Cano, a Democrat who served as an aide to the late Richard Elias, said he had considered running but is now “looking for other opportunities.”

The only Republican to submit a statement of interest was 2023 Republican Tucson mayoral candidate Janet Wittenbraker, who received 32% of the vote in her political debut.

“With Sharon Bronson retiring, it seemed like the right choice for me to run for District 3 county supervisor,” Wittenbraker said. “The issues facing counties are similar but different than those facing cities. Counties have their own challenges with fiscal overspending. As far as I can see, open borders is facing major challenges.”

Independent candidate Iman Utopia Raiju Bar has expressed interest in the race.

The deadline for nominating petitions is now April 1, after the state Legislature moved this year's primary election one week forward.