Jen Allen Races Ahead: Outfunds Three Rivals in Pima County Supes Battle

Democrat Jennifer Allen has significantly outpaced her opponents in fundraising for the Pima County Board of Supervisors District 3 race. As of the end of the second quarter, Allen’s campaign has raised $141,243, with $68,000 remaining in her campaign account. Her competitors, Edgar Soto, Miguel Cuevas, and April Hiosik Ignacio, lag far behind in financial contributions.

Allen, who has prior experience with organizations such as the League of Conservation Voters and the Arizona ACLU, has drawn substantial support from various political, environmental, nonprofit, and legal communities. “Our financial report mirrors our campaign,” Allen said, emphasizing her extensive community engagement and the wide range of contributors backing her campaign goals.

Edgar Soto, the Vice President at Pima Community College’s Desert Vista campus, reported raising $42,297 in the second quarter, bringing his total to $47,902, with $5,512 left in the bank. Soto highlighted his increasing momentum as a first-time candidate, noting the growing recognition of his viability.

Miguel Cuevas, a former TUSD Board member, has largely self-funded his campaign. His contributions total $3,911, supplemented by $35,078 in loans. Despite only having $129 on hand at the end of the quarter, Cuevas remains confident, pointing to his aggressive campaign efforts to directly engage voters.

April Hiosik Ignacio, managing a tribal housing agency and co-founder of Indivisible Tohono, began her fundraising late but managed to gather $29,710 in small donations. Ignacio had spent $22,823 by June 30 and faced organizational challenges, having filed necessary paperwork only after an inquiry from the Tucson Sentinel.

The District 3 Democratic primary winner will face Republican Janet “JL” Wittenbraker, who has raised $19,412 overall. The district includes central Tucson, Marana, Three Points, the Tohoho O’odham reservation, and several federal reserves.

In District 1, incumbent Democrat Rex Scott leads in fundraising, with $125,463 raised, including $17,348 in the latest quarter. Scott’s campaign stands out with diverse contributions from 367 individual donors. His Democratic challenger, Jake Martin, has raised a modest $2,048, focusing on a grassroots campaign to maintain political integrity.

On the Republican side, Steve Spain, who narrowly lost to Scott in 2020, reported raising $7,638, holding $11,705 at the quarter’s end. District 1, covering Oro Valley and parts of Marana, remains competitive with a near-equal split between registered Democrats, Republicans, and independents.

District 2 Supervisor Matt Heinz did not submit a recent finance report but had $8,670 in his campaign account previously. Beatrice Cory Stephens, a new Republican contender, raised $2,316 this quarter, while her fellow Republican, John Backer, raised $4,130, relying significantly on self-funding.

In District 4, incumbent Republican Steve Christy raised $3,170, maintaining a $34,014 campaign fund. His Democratic opponent, Vanessa Bechtol, out-raised Christy, collecting $43,682. District 4 encompasses Tucson’s East Side and other areas, with a Republican lean.

District 5 Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat, raised $6,337 this quarter, holding $15,425. Independent Val Romero managed to raise $2,018, ending the quarter with $1,475. The district maintains a strong Democratic presence.