One files for council seat in Somerton

SOMERTON — One person so far has filed nominating petitions to run for a city council seat here, while seven others are circulating petitions to be included on the ballot.

All incumbents whose terms expire in early 2013 are circulating petitions to run for re-election: Mayor Martin Porchas and council members Arturo Magana, Gerardo Anaya and Miguel Villalpando.

Candidates could begin circulating nominating petitions in November to run in the city's primary election in March.

Dec. 12 is the deadline for candidate for file the petition signatures. So far, only Patricia Miranda has turned in her petitions.

A resident of Somerton for three years, Miranda is a substitute teacher in the Gadsden Elementary School District in San Luis, Ariz., and is coordinator of the Girl Scout troop for south Yuma County.

“My goal is to work for the betterment of the community, that we all unite — that is what Somerton needs in order to move forward,” she said. “I want to see the city prosper and improve.”

Others who have taken out petitions to run for council seats are former councilman Francisco Vasquez and residents Elvia Ornelas and Carlos Gonzalez.

Gonzalez previously won a seat on the Somerton Elementary School District's governing board in the November general election, but he had to resign that post because he had previously accepted an offer of a teaching job in the same district.

The terms for the mayor and three council seats last four years.

Somerton residents who are U.S. citizens and at least 18 are eligible to run.