Longtime Pima County Supervisor Sharon Bronson resigns

Citing injuries from a recent fall, longtime Pima County Supervisor Sharon Bronson says she will resign before the end of the month.

Bronson, who was first elected in 1996, won a seventh term in 2020.

“Over the last few months, I have been considering whether to run for an additional term, and while my heart is and always will be with the residents of Pima County, I have decided at this time to not seek an additional term on the Pima County Board of Supervisors,” Bronson said in a letter Monday addressed to Supervisor Chair Adelita Grijalva.

“Last week I took a fall in my house, ambushed by one of my favorite cats, and fracturing three ribs. I am fine and will fully recover,” the letter reads. “However, I am going to be recovering for a few months and cannot adequately discharge my duties to the residents of Pima County and District 3. Therefore, I am resigning from the Pima County Board of supervisors effective November 27th.”

Bronson played a big role in the county’s development of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and became the first woman to be chosen to chair the board. She currently sits on the board for Visit Tucson.

She leaves her post as the most senior member of the board, about a year before the next general election is set to take place. Bronson said her staff of will continue their work for constituents uninterrupted.

Bronson represents District 3, Pima County’s largest district. It covers about 7,400 square miles in the western part of the county and shares 130 miles of international border with Mexico.

Grijalva, in a statement Monday, said that Bronson’s time on the board was historic.

“Sharon has served on the Pima County Board for twenty-seven years, making her the longest-serving Supervisor in Pima County’s history. She also broke the glass ceiling in 1996, being the first woman ever appointed as Chair of the Board,” Grijalva said. “Her impact on our community is long-lasting ... The residents of Pima County are grateful for her service and wish her a speedy recovery. Thank you, Sharon!”

In a reply to Bronson’s announcement on Facebook, District 1 Supervisor Rex Scott said she served the county “with distinction and pride.”

“All of us are grateful for and can learn from her selflessness and commitment to service,” he said.

District 4 Supervisor Steve Christy said Monday that he’s personally very sorry that Bronson is retiring.

“She and I became close friends and allies in the last several years. We were able to accomplish a number of items together,” he said. “I will miss her experience, wisdom and counsel. On the other hand, 27 years in public service on the Board of Supervisors is a very long time, and if anyone deserves a respite from that it’s her.”

“I wish her very, very well in her retirement from the Board, but I will personally miss her, and I can’t thank her enough for all the support and friendship she lent me,” Christy said.

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District 2 Supervisor, Dr. Matt Heinz, told the Arizona Daily Star Monday in a written statement that he wishes Bronson a speedy recovery.

“Sharon Bronson has been a strong advocate for the residents of Pima County and an important champion for environmental protection and other issues during her 27 years on the Board of Supervisors,” he said. “I thank her for her dedication to Pima County and wish her a speedy recovery.”

In September, Bronson pushed the Board to seek an outside investigation into Pima Sheriff Chris Nanos’ internal handling of a sex-assault allegation a deputy leveled against a former sergeant in the department.

Her request to seek the outside investigation got the Board’s approval, twice, and earlier this month the Arizona Attorney General accepted the county’s “request to conduct a complete criminal investigation” into the alleged actions taken by Nanos.

Bronson filed to run for re-election on Oct. 24. That was just one day after a well-supported Democrat had filed to challenge her.

When Jennifer Allen filed Oct. 23, she carried little name recognition but a powerful endorsement — that of congressman, and former Pima County supervisor, Raúl Grijalva.

His daughter, Adelita Grijalva, succeeded Bronson as chair of the board of supervisors, but she had not endorsed Allen.

On Monday, Allen said, “I felt like new leadership could bring some fresh insight, perspective and momentum to the county.”

She acknowledged Bronson’s contribution to preserving the Curley School in Ajo, to establishing a community center in Flowing Wells and, most significantly, creating the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.

“She’s done good stuff, but the need is great in the county, so it felt like time for new leadership,” Allen said.

In July, Kathryn Mikronis, a member of the Marana Unified School District governing board, also filed to run in the Democratic primary.

Bronson has drifted toward some more conservative positions in her current term, often garnering praise from the Republicans who pack the board meetings.

For example, in May she voted against providing $30,000 in aid to Humane Borders for putting out water in the borderland deserts to help migrants. In many previous votes, Bronson had supported the aid, but this time she voted no, saying the aid wouldn’t solve the problem that needed to be solved through comprehensive immigration reform.

The schedule has not been set yet for replacing Bronson, Adelita Grijalva said. This time, it will include a background check on all the candidates, which may delay the process somewhat.