Dear Editor For Superior Sun, San Manuel Miner & Copper Basin News:
This is to apprise the voters of Pinal County Supervisor District 1, that I have legally challenged Don Jones’ Nominating Petitions for this year’s Primary Election. After reviewing his submission we noticed numerous errors, omissions, invalid signatures and lack of circulator’s residential addresses as required by law.
All Pinal County Judges recused themselves from the case. The case was referred and heard by Judge Jeffrey Bergin out of Tucson, Pima County, on June 16th.
If not all signatures are voided, it appears that close to half of his petition signatures would be ruled invalid, which would then render the petitions short of the legally required number of signatures. A decision on this case is expected shortly. If the Judge agrees with our counts against the petitions, Jones’ name would not be placed on the Primary Ballot.
As I said in my Re-election Announcement “This is America and anyone that meets the legal requirements can run for public office.” In my opinion Mr. Jones clearly fails to meet the legal requirements on his Nominating Petitions for elected office, Supervisor District 1.
/s/ Pete Rios
Pinal County Supervisor Dist. 1