Pastor endorses in race to replace him

Rep. Ed Pastor (D-Ariz.) is weighing in on the race to replace him, endorsing Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox for his seat.

{mosads}“I am confident that her 31 years of hard work and experience of public service serving her community and her constituents has prepared her well to represent all Arizonans in Congress,” Pastor said in a statement. “I strongly urge all my supporters to assist me and thousands of others to be part of Arizona political history by electing Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox as the first Latina in Arizona to be elected to the United States Congress.”

Pastor announced in February he’s retiring at the end of his current term, opening up a safe Democratic seat and a scramble for the nomination.

State Sen. Steve Gallardo and former state Rep. Ruben Gallego, among others, are also running.

And at least one other member of the state’s delegation has weighed in on the primary. Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D) is supporting Gallego in the race.