Andrés Cano, a former state lawmaker, has been selected to replace Adelita Grijalva on the Pima County Board of Supervisors.
In a 3-0 vote Tuesday, Cano was chosen from six people who applied for the District 5 post. It pays $96,600 a year.
Cano joined the Board on Tuesday after being sworn in. District 4 Supervisor Steve Christy was absent.
Up until his appointment, Cano was the city of Tucson’s director of federal and state relations. In that role he led the city’s legislative and grants strategy and advocated for city policies to state and federal lawmakers. Cano previously served in the state House, and at one point was minority leader.
Cano got his start working as an aide to former District 5 Supervisor Richard Elias, who replaced Raúl Grijalva on the board in 2002, when Raúl Grijalva resigned to run for Congress. After Elias died in 2020, Adelita Grijalva won Elias’ seat.
Cano called his appointment Tuesday a “full circle moment,” remembering that 15 years ago, he began as an intern at 14 years old through the county’s summer youth employment program.
Andrés Cano is sworn in Tuesday to the Pima County Board of Supervisors by Danelle Liwski, the presiding judge for the Pima County Superior Court.
“I spent four summers learning the basics of our county government, first in the wastewater department, then in the County Administrator’s office, and finally the District 5 Supervisor office under Supervisor Richard Elias,” Cano said. “I was taught that government works best when it listens, when it shows up and when it delivers for those most in need. Chairman Elias shaped not just my career, but my heart. He showed me that service is not about spotlight, it’s about showing up no matter how heavy the moment. I carry that lesson, and his legacy, with me into this new chapter.”
As the county approaches approval of next fiscal year’s budget, Cano said he’s looking closely at county employee compensation. Cano said he would also prioritize housing, neighborhood issues and infrastructure and promote more open space.
“At every turn in my career, my compass has remained the same: District 5,” Cano said. “District 5 raised me, and I’m ready to return that gift by doing what I’ve always done: show up, listen, and get to work.”
Cano will hold the Supervisors post through 2026. A special election will be held that year; the candidate who wins that election will serve the remainder of Grijalva’s original term, through 2028.
Grijalva, who was re-elected to her second term in November, resigned as supervisor to run for the Tucson congressional seat held by her late father Raúl Grijalva. He died on March 13 at 77.
Adelita Grijalva is one of eight candidates who submitted nominating signatures Monday for the open congressional seat.
Four other Democrats submitted signatures to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office: former state lawmaker Daniel Hernandez; Deja Foxx, a social media “influencer” from Tucson who led “influencer strategy” in Kamala Harris’ first campaign for president; Jose Malvido, Jr.; and Patrick Harris, Sr.
Three Republicans submitted signatures Monday, as well: Daniel Butierez, Sr., who lost to Raúl Grijalva in the November 2024 election; Jorge Rivas; and Jimmy Rodriguez.
Early voting for the congressional seat begins June 18 for the July 15 primary.
Winners in the primary will face off in a special election Sept. 23.
Grijalva was the board’s vice chair when she resigned April 4. After selecting Cano as her replacement, the board appointed Supervisor Jen Allen as vice chair.
Grijalva also represented the county on the Pima Association of Government’s regional council, the Regional Transportation Authority Board, and Visit Tucson‘s board of directors.
Supervisor Matt Heinz will replace Grijalva on the PAG and RTA boards. Cano will serve on the Visit Tucson board.
