Pastor endorses Mary Rose Wilcox for his congressional seat

Retiring U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor endorsed Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox as his preferred replacement in the 7th Congressional District seat he’s held for more than two decades.

“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 written endorsement. “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 State Congress.”

Pastor, who’s served in Congress since 1991, announced in February he won’t seek re-election at the end of his term.

Wilcox is one of three Democrats running for the seat, considered a rare safe district for Democrats to hold in Congress. In addition to Wilcox, state Sen. Steve Gallardo, D-Phoenix, and former state Rep. Ruben Gallego have filed to run.

Wilcox said she believes and endorsement from Pastor will carry plenty of sway in the district.

“He feels that I’m the best person for the job,” Wilcox told Arizona Capitol Times. “I’ve prepared myself. My years of service have done very well to prepare me, and he feels I will be the one to take over his legacy. I’ve very honored that he has done that.”