Candidates vie for Tucson’s Pima County District 5 supervisor seat | News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – The race to fill the vacant District 5 seat on the Pima County Board of Supervisors is heating up as five out of six candidates presented their visions in a virtual forum.

The vacancy follows Adelita Grijalva’s recent resignation to pursue a seat in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District.

On Wednesday night, the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson hosted a virtual forum. It was an opportunity for the community to hear from the candidates and understand their platforms and priorities.

The candidates are Lewis David Araiza, Sr., a retired teacher; Richard Hernandez, a community advocate; Andrés Cano, Tucson’s city director of federal and state relations; Kimberly Baeza, a Pima County employee; Cynthia Abril Sosa Ontiveros, an engineer; and Karla Bernal Morales, vice president of the Arizona Technology Council.

Each candidate discussed their main concerns and goals. Karla Bernal Morales said, “My vision for the district is simple: to improve the quality of life for all Pima County residents.”

Cynthia Abril Sosa Ontiveros expressed her commitment to community support, stating, “I’m passionate about building a strong system to support members of our community and ensure all voices are heard.”

Andrés Cano emphasized budget efficiency, saying, “We’ve got a $1.7 billion budget as a county, and we need to find efficiencies.”

Lewis David Araiza, Sr. focused on employment, noting, “I want zero unemployment and maximum employment—especially in our rural areas.”

Kimberly Baeza highlighted creative solutions for budget challenges, saying, “We’re going to have to think creatively to overcome budget shortfalls.”

The Pima County Board of Supervisors is set to make their final decision next week. The chosen candidate will serve until December 31, 2026.