Yuma Republicans prep for November election

While the Yuma County Republican Party has not formally announced its slate, some candidates are already preparing for the November election.

Former state lawmaker Russ Jones is making a run for the District 24 seat in the Arizona House of Representatives. District 24 includes Yuma County and a portion of La Paz County.

Jones served one term in the state House from 2004 to 2006. He left his seat to run for the state Senate, losing by a narrow margin to Amanda Aguirre in 2006.

On the Democratic side, Aguirre is running to keep her seat in the Senate, and District 24 Reps. Theresa Ulmer and Lynne Pancrazi are seeking second terms in the House.

Jones could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

County School Superintendent Tom Tyree has already declared he will run for re-election.

All Republicans on the Yuma County Board of Supervisors are working to keep their seats. Russell McCloud of District 2, Greg Ferguson of District 5 and District 3's Casey Prochaska have declared they will run again.

District 1's Lenore Stuart and Tony Reyes of District 5, both Democrats, are also running again.

Republican David Lara is trying to take the District 4 seat. Lara previously ran for that seat in 2004 but lost to incumbent Reyes.

Lara said he is motivated to run by focusing on the same issue that fueled his campaign in 2004: bringing change to politics in the south county.

He said he wants to change what he sees as a negative image of politics in San Luis. The area has been historically dominated by Democrats, but he said he's confident the community will see beyond party labels.

"I'm a person who's been involved with the community for a long time," Lara said.

Various other county offices will also be up for vote in the November election. Party chairman Joseph "Mel" Melchionne said they will probably release a formal list of candidates later this week.