Democrat Andres Cano Takes the Helm at Pima County Board of Supervisors

Democrat Andrés Cano has been appointed as the newest member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, filling the vacant District 5 seat. The board approved Cano’s appointment with a unanimous 3-0 vote, while District 4 Supervisor Steve Christy was absent from the meeting.

Cano began his political journey as a high school intern in the District 5 office and transitioned to a full-time role in 2012. He later served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2018 until his resignation in 2023, which he did to pursue a master’s degree in public administration at Harvard. Most recently, he held a position as a lobbyist for the City of Tucson.

Expressing his gratitude, Cano described the appointment as a significant milestone. “This is a full-circle moment,” he stated, reflecting on his early days in local government. He noted that he had spent years learning about county operations, working in various departments before joining the District 5 office under Supervisor Richard Elías.

The three Democratic supervisors recognized the strong pool of applicants but unanimously agreed that Cano’s extensive experience made him the optimal choice. “We need someone who can hit the ground running,” emphasized District 3 Supervisor Jen Allen, who initiated the motion for Cano’s appointment.

Encouraging statements were made by fellow supervisors regarding Cano’s readiness. District 2 Supervisor Matt Heinz stressed the importance of selecting someone with immediate knowledge, while Board Chair Rex Scott remarked on Cano’s impressive knowledge during his interview, likening the experience to speaking with a seasoned supervisor.

After the vote, Cano was sworn into office by Pima County Superior Court Judge Danelle Liwski and took his place alongside his colleagues. “My journey has always been about community,” Cano asserted. “I’m ready to return that gift by doing what I’ve always done: Show up, listen and get to work.”

The District 5 seat became vacant after Democrat Adelita Grijalva resigned on March 31 to campaign for her late father’s U.S. House seat. Cano’s term lasts until the 2026 midterms, when a special election will decide who will serve the remainder of the term until 2028.

District 5 encompasses areas from Tucson Mountain Park to East Side precincts around Wilmot Road, with a voter registration composition of nearly 49% Democrats, 15% Republicans, and the rest classified as independents. Cano was selected from a pool of six candidates, which included Pima Community College Governing Board Member Karla Morales and others.

Additionally, Cano will serve as the county’s representative on the Visit Tucson Board of Directors, a role also confirmed unanimously by the board. Supervisor Heinz was appointed to represent the county on the Regional Transportation Authority Board, which is working on a new 20-year transportation plan for voter approval.