Jones says write-in planned if candidate tossed

Russ Jones (left) and Darin Mitchell (File photos)

A Republican lawmaker from Yuma who lost his district’s primary race says he will run as a write-in candidate if a court throws another candidate off the ballot.

Rep. Russ Jones says he expects rival Darin Mitchell of Litchfield Park to be found ineligible by the Arizona Court of Appeals later this month.

The Yuma Sun reports  that Jones finished third in August’s Legislative District 13 primary, with the top two vote-getters going on November’s general election. The district covers parts of Maricopa and Yuma counties. No Democrats are running.

Jones sued to get winner Darin Mitchell declared ineligible for office, alleging he doesn’t actually reside in the district. The judge ruled for Jones and ordered Mitchell’s name removed, but an appeals court stayed that order pending a hearing.