Campaign 2008 - Pinal County and Legislative Districts

It’s a busy time in Pinal County with elections for most county officials and for our state legislators as well. Most Pinal County officials seeking re-election will face a Republican opponent, though in some cases the opponent will be pretty weak or without the requisite experience.

County Supervisors

Two of our three incumbent Supervisors have retired (Lionel Ruiz and Sandie Smith). David Snider, the third incumbent, has attracted active Democratic opposition as well as a Republican opponent. So, Pinal County may have a completely new Board of Supervisors next year. Here is what our lineup looks like this year:

Pinal County Supervisor, District #1 (Superior to SaddleBrooke)

Mary Espinoza is a native of Arizona and Pinal County. For over thirty years, Mary Espinoza has served in a variety of positions in county administration, including 15 years as Pinal County Public Guardian and another 15 years as Director of the Pinal County Medical Examiner’s Office. She lives in Coolidge and has degrees from Northern Arizona University and the University of Phoenix.

Pete Rios is currently the Arizona State Representative for Legislative District 23. For the past fifteen or more years, Pete has represented the people of Legislative District 23 in both the Arizona House and Senate.What with term limits and the retirement of Lionel Ruiz, we believe that Pete will announce his intention to run for Pinal County Supervisor in District 1 which covers the area from SaddleBrooke to San Manuel, to Kearney and over to Superior and Gold Canyon.

Pinal County Supervisor Districts #2 (Apache Junction to Coolidge)

Mary Shope is a long-time political activist who is running for election as County Supervisor in District #2. Mary is a business owner and entrepreneur. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from ASU and was a teacher for some years. She understands the problems of Pinal County and wants to be involved in solutions. Visit her website at Mary Shope for Supervisor.

Pinal County Supervisor #3 (Maricopa to Casa Grande)

	David Snider was elected to the Pinal County Board of Supervisors in November 2004. The Highland Park, Michigan native moved to Arizona in 1973 to take a job with the Mesa Public Library. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. You can visit his website at David Snider.com. http://www.davidsnider.com/
	Dennis Dugan was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He moved to Chandler, Arizona in August 1962 when he was 12 years old. Dennis is a successful dairy farmer in Casa Grande and has a Bachelor’s degree in agricultural education. You can visit his website at Dugan 2008.

County Recorder

Laura Dean-Lytle was first elected to the position of Pinal County Recorder in 2000. Laura’s years of service with Pinal County began in 1983 with the Assessor’s office prior to joining the Recorder’s office in 1997 as Chief Deputy Recorder. A Pinal County resident since 1975, Laura and husband, Jerry Lytle reside in Apache Junction. Daughters Michelle and Sherry with their respective families also make the Apache Junction-Gold Canyon area their home. Click here to visit her web-page.

County Superintendent of Schools

Orlenda Roberts is running for her first full term as Pinal County Superintendent of Schools. She has worked as an educator for over 35 years, first as a teacher and later as an administrator. Her specialization is working with special needs and/or at-risk student populations. She currently serves as Superintendent for Pinal County Schools in Pinal County, Arizona. She received her bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Arizona. Currently, Ms. Roberts is in the process of pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership.Orlenda Roberts is un-opposed so she will be our next Superintendent of Schools here in Pinal County. Click here to visit Orlenda’s web-page.

County Attorney

Jim Walsh is campaigning to become Pinal County’s Attorney. As an unopposed candidate, Jim is expected to have an easy time of it. But rightfully he’s using this opportunity to meet and greet folks all over Pinal County. Jim Walsh was appointed Pinal County Attorney in 2007 to fill the unexpired term of Carter Olsen who, in turn was appointed as a Superior Court Judge. Prior to that, Jim Walsh was a Deputy Director of the Arizona Attorney General’s office and served as a chief deputy for Terry Goddard. He has a wealth of experience and training and will, we are confident, be a great County Attorney. Click here to visit Jim Walsh’s web-page.

County Sheriff

Chris Vasquez is running again to be your Sheriff. Due to a quirk in the timing of his appointment and his most recent election, Chris is mounting his second campaign in little more than two years. In the most recent election, Chris was the top vote-getter of any candidate on the Pinal County ballot. He is expected to build on his popularity in this election cycle. If successful, he will serve a normal four year term. Chris has thirty years of experience as a law enforcement officer including nearly 20 years with the Casa Grande Police Department. In 2001 he joined the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office as a Chief Deputy. In 2005 he was appointed Sheriff and was elected Sheriff in the 2006 elections. He has been awarded several honor by the National Sheriff’s Association. Click here to visit Chris’s website.

No Photo Yet

Jaime Valenzuela is also running for Sheriff. In the past several years, Mr. Valenzuela has run for several offices in Pinal County. His last job in law enforcement was as a policeman about ten years ago. This is the second time he has attempted to run for Sheriff.

County Assessor

Paul Larkin is running for a third term as Pinal County Assessor. The Assessor’s Office values all locally assessed property in the county for ad valorum tax purposes. The procedures used to assess properties are mandated by state law and the Assessor’s office is responsible to assure compliance to these statues and to assure the smooth running of the office. Click here to visit Paul’s web-page.

County Treasurer

Delores Doolittle is running for her second full term as Pinal County Treasurer. Delores first joined the Treasurer’s office in 1991. The Treasurer’s office is responsible for for billing and collection of the personal and real property taxes levied by the county and various taxing entities including the community college, school districts, fire districts, sanitary districts, water and irrigation districts, various improvement districts, flood control districts and cities. Dolores “Dodie” J. Doolittle is a life time resident of Pinal County, she grew up in Maricopa and graduated from Maricopa High School in 1975 and she currently resides in Gold Canyon. Click here for Delores’ web-page.

Pinal County Superior Court Judges

Currently the county has 10 Superior Court Judges who serve rotating four year terms. Judges are elected in Pinal County for the moment. If, during the 2010 Census as seems likely, the county’s population exceeds 200,000 people, then matters will change and Judges will be appointed by a merit review panel rather than elected. So, it is likely that this 2008 election will the pen-ultimate judgeship election.

In the 2008 cycle, the following Judges will be up for re-election:

• Honorable Boyd T. Johnson (Division 2)
• Honorable Rudy Georgini (Division 3)
• Honorable Stephen McCarville (Division 5)
• Honorable Janna Vanderpool (Division 6)
• Honorable Robert Carter Olson (Division 9)

The 2006 election cycle “featured” two vigorous races for Judgeship positions. This cycle, only one of our Democratic judges is being challenged. In this case, Judge Vanderpool will have two Republican opponents. We’re pretty confident that Judge Vanderpool will triumph but your help for her campaign is always appreciated.

Judge Janna Vanderpool is running for re-election and she will have a contested election this fall. Born in Missouri, she was raised in Casa Grande and holds a Bachelor degree from Arizona State University and obtained her law degree from the University of Arizona. Judge Vanderpool was appointed as a Judge Pro Tempore in 2000 by Judge Charles Jones of the Arizona Supreme Court. Later that same year, she campaigned won her own election to Division 6. This will be her third term as a Superior Court Judge. Click here to visit Jana’s web-page.

Justices of the Peace

Like Superior Court Judges, Justices of the Peace and their Constables are elected and serve on rotating terms. This year there is a pretty light schedule. In Florence there is an election for Justice of the Peace. Two Democrats are vying in the primary (Tom Rankin and Andrew Ramerez) to run against the winner between Republicans Frank Ashford and Merritt Shrunk.

In the town of Maricopa, Ken Edwards is unopposed for Constable after his erstwhile Republican opponent failed to submit valid signatures for his nominating petition.