Mike Hellon in his 2006 campaign
MIKE HELLON FILES CANDIDACY FOR PIMA COUNTY SUPERVISOR (press release)
Pima County businessman and Republican leader Mike Hellon officially filed his candidacy today for Pima County Supervisor District 1, vowing to focus his priorities on economic development, fiscal responsibility and quality of life issues for the residents of District 1.
“This is not a decision I made lightly,” Hellon said. “I have been persuaded that strong leadership is needed on the board of supervisors from District 1 and I believe I have the background and experience to meet that challenge.”
In recent weeks, a number of business and political leaders have expressed concerns about a vacuum developing in district 1 with the retirement of incumbent Supervisor Ann Day. Hellon was offered support if he would consider replacing her.
“Their priorities match mine,” he said. “They want accountability and transparency in their government. They want lower taxes through increased efficiency, not through reduced services. They want a balance between a robust economy and protecting our unique quality of life in Pima County. They want infrastructure, public safety and our roads fixed, not excuses or rhetoric. I have the political experience and leadership skills to effectively pursue those goals.”
Hellon is a decorated Vietnam veteran who has successfully operated his own small business for 34 years. A lifelong Republican, Hellon was the Arizona campaign manager for Ronald Reagan in 1980. He was elected to the Republican National Committee in 1992 and served as chairman of the Arizona Republican Party from 1997 to 1999.
In addition to his service to his country and the Republican Party, Hellon has served the community as a small claims hearing officer for the Pima County Justice Court, on the Pima County Board of Adjustment for District 1 and as a member of the Pima County Merit Commission. In 2004, he was appointed by the Arizona Supreme Court to the Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review and currently serves as the commission’s chairman. He is also a member of the Arizona Judicial Council by appointment of the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court.
Hellon has served as a leader in numerous civic and charitable organizations including chambers of commerce, the Tucson Chapter of the American Diabetes Association and the Catalina Youth Soccer Club. He has two children and lives in Northwest Tucson.
Hellon’s campaign chairman is local businessman Bill Assenmacher. His treasurer is Valerie Samoy, staff assistant to Supervisor Ann Day. The balance of the campaign organization is still being developed.
Mike Hellon, Candidate for Pima County Supervisor, District 1
Phone: 520-241-8885
Hellon ran for CD 8 U.S. House in the 2006 Republican primary and got 13.35% of the vote in a five-way race. LD 30 State House Rep. Randy Graf won that primary and then lost to then-LD 28 State Senator Gabrielle Giffords. Mike is the ex-husband of former LD 26 State Senator Toni Hellon.
Campaign website: www.hellon2012.com, email is mike@hellon2012.com, phone is 520-204-3915.
Also running for this seat (due to the retirement of Republican Supervisor Ann Day) are two fellow Republicans Stuart McDaniel (mortgage broker) and Ally Miller (businesswoman), and Democratic former LD 26 House Rep. Nancy Young Wright. LD 26 House Rep. Vic Williams is also expected to run for this seat, which would make it a four-way Republican primary on August 28.
Note: I serve as a Hearing Officer in Pima County Consolidated Justice Court, so I have known fellow Hearing Officer Hellon for six and a half years, as he is one of the trainers in our program, having served for over 20 years.
1/26/12 UPDATE: Rep. Vic Williams did file for this seat (click here), so it is now a 4 way race in this primary.
Mike Hellon in 2012
