Arizona Daily Star’s Editorial Board is comprised of President and Publisher John D’Orlando, our top newsroom leader Editor Jill Jorden Spitz, Opinion editor Sarah Garrecht Gassen and Opinion writer and producer Edward Celaya. Cartoonist and columnist David Fitzsimmons is part of the Opinion team, but is not part of the Editorial Board.
The Editorial Board and the Star’s news reporters and editors operate independently of each other.
In the first of our discussion with Pima County Supervisor candidates, we listen to Republican Steve Spain and Democrat Rex Scott give reasons for why one of them should be the candidate to follow Ally Miller in District 1.
District 1: Rex Scott (D) vs. Steve Spain (R)
Rex Scott is the best choice to represent this northwest Pima County district that includes Marana and Oro Valley. Scott is a rational, reasonable centrist with a career of public service as a teacher and school principal — positions that require a cool head, smart ideas and the ability to problem solve amid competing interests.
People are also reading…
Steve Spain, backed by retiring supervisor Ally Miller (R), has shown himself to be a science-denying flame-thrower whose ill-conceived positions and reliance on public personal attacks make him unsuitable to effectively represent a district that is ideologically, demographically and economically diverse.
Scott has demonstrated independence in his positions, a focus on District #1 in his priorities — including his plans on fighting COVID-19 — and his steady leadership is the right fit for a Pima County Supervisor.
Democratic candidate Matt Heinz stops by to talk Pima County Supervisors, District 2 and unseating the current incumbent, Supervisor Ramon Valadez, in the primary election.
District 2: Matt Heinz (D) vs. Anthony Sizer (R)
In the race for Pima County Supervisor, District 2, the Arizona Daily Star endorses former Arizona Representative and Congressional candidate Matt Heinz.
Seemingly always active on the Democratic side of the ballot this time of year, Heinz is in the position to represent the diverse district that stretches from Sahuarita to South Tucson after challenging and defeating incumbent supervisor, Ramon Valadez.
Heinz has smartly chosen to make his campaign focus the same as his everyday job: health. As a hospital physician at Tucson Medical Center, and as someone who has helped treat COVID-positive patients, Heinz offers a unique insight and perspective on an issue the county will face into the foreseeable future.
When it comes to the nitty-gritty of policy making, Heinz’ background in the state legislature will help him with the horse-trading and deal making that comes along with getting things done at the county level.
Ultimately, in perhaps the most uncertain time facing the county in recent memory, Heinz’ background in medicine, coupled with his prior legislative experience, makes him one of the most qualified supervisor candidates on the ballot.
Incumbent Democrat Sharon Bronson shares her reasoning as to why she should be reelected as District 3 Supervisor.
District #3: Sharon Bronson (D) vs. Gabby Saucedo Mercer (R)
Sharon Bronson is the best choice to represent this vast district, which includes the Flowing Wells area of Tucson, small communities like Picture Rocks, Arivaca and Ajo, the Tohono O’Odham Nation, the U.S.—Mexico border and vast natural areas. Bronson is deservedly best known for her work on the County’s Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and in on a board with at least three new Supervisors, her institutional knowledge will be essential.
Our latest candidate chat features a discussion between the current incumbent on Pima County's Board of Supervisors, Republican Supervisor Steve Christy, and his Democratic challenger, Steve Diamond.
District #4: Steve Diamond (D) vs. Steve Christy (R)
Steve Diamond is the better choice to represent this large district that includes the county’s east side, including Coronado National Forest and Saguaro National Park East, and southeast to the U.S.—Mexico border.
We value Steve Christy’s business perspective on the Board, but we find two of his positions so extreme as to be disqualifying: “Is climate change the fault of man? No, I don’t believe so. I don’t believe man has the capacity to affect Mother Nature in that regard;” and putting political philosophy over public health: “A mask mandate does not coincide with our ability to make our own decisions.”
Steve Diamond strikes us as a common-sense candidate who supports sustainability and science, but is mindful of businesses’ contributions and won’t be a rubber stamp for the Pima County administration.
Pima County Supervisors District 5 candidate and current TUSD Board member Adelita Grijalva talks about her goals, if elected, for representing Pima County.
District #5: Adelita Grijalva (D) vs. Fernando Gonzales (R)
Adelita Grijalva is the best choice for this district that encompasses Tucson’s west side, part of Saguaro National Park West and most of the Pascua Yaqui Nation.
Grijalva is a known quantity from her years on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board, and her experience on that fractious board and dealing with strapped budgets, state mandates and an engaged public prepares her the broader Pima County Supervisor role.
Grijalva listens to constituents and centers her problem-solving perspective on those without institutional power, a needed and useful point of view especially when making decisions that affect more than 1 million people.
Photos: 2020 Primary Election in Pima and Maricopa counties
Primary Election in Pima County
An elections worker looks over a few of the early primary ballots at one of the scanning stations during counting at the Pima County Elections Center, Tucson, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A pair of elections workers look over an early primary ballot as part of the counting process at the Pima County Elections Center, Tucson, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
Elections workers feed primary ballots in to scanners at the Pima County Elections Center, Tucson, Ariz., August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A poll worker waits inside the Pima County voting site at Morris K. Udall Recreational Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
Brad Nelson, left, Pima County elections director, helps Lisa Matthews, Pima County election marshal, put up a “Welcome Voters” sign after it was blown down outside of the Pima County voting site at Morris K. Udall Recreational Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
After voting, a voter walks back to their car at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A voter walks by a polling sign outside the Armory Park Center located at 220 S 5th Avenue during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
Voters enter the Tucson Estates Multi-Purpose Hall located at 5900 W Western Way Circle, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
Gilbert Silva walks through the parking lot of the Valencia Library located at 202 W Valencia Road to cast his vote during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A poll worker (right) takes a completed ballot from a voter at the Valencia Library located at 202 W Valencia Road during primary election day, on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
After placing their vote, a voter starts to place their "I Voted" sticker on their shirt as they leave the Pima County voting site at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club Rd., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A poll worker wearing a face shield, mask and gloves walks outside to check if anyone needs assistance at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A voters arrives at the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz to drop off their voting ballot on August 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Pima County
A voter leaves the Pima County polling site at Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.., in Tucson, Ariz on August 4, 2020. Photo by Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Primary Election in Maricopa County
A portrait of Ashlee King after she voted, August 4, 2020, at the El Tianguis Mercado polling place, 9201 S. Avenida Del Yaqui, Guadalupe.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
Anita Cota-Soto washes her hands before voting, August 4, 2020, at the El Tianguis Mercado, 9201 S. Avenida Del Yaqui, Guadalupe. Cota-Soto is a Town of Guadalupe councilmember running for re-election.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
Voting marshal Gerry Lamanski checks his watch before announcing the polls are open, August 4, 2020, at the Tempe History Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
People vote on Election Day at Nueva Vida Church in Scottsdale on Aug. 4, 2020.
Primary Election in Maricopa County
Voters walk to a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic candidates for the primary election Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Primary Election in Maricopa County
Voters walk to a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic primary candidates Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Primary Election in Maricopa County
A voter wearing a face covering exits a polling station to cast votes for GOP and Democratic primary candidates, as a polling station workers opens the door for voters Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in Chandler, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
