Tom Thurman was first elected to the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors for District 2 in 2004. After serving the county for 16 years, Thurman decided not to run for reelection this year.
“My decision not to run again took a lot of prayer, talking to friends and colleagues, not to mention my own family,” Thurman wrote in an email. “I will be 65 this summer, so if I did one more term I would be close to 70 before I would retire. I have taken my job very seriously and doing so 50 to 60 hours a week is common.
“I have one adopted daughter left at home and as I get older I would love to spend more time with her. You sacrifice your personal life taking this job if you are serious and taking care of your constitutes needs and wants. Saying that, I am very blessed to the projects and folks I [have] been involved in and will definitely miss you all. Thanks for the 16 years.”
With the District 2 seat open for the first time in more than a decade, six candidates have thrown their hats in the ring, including:
- Brandi Bateman, executive assistant to District 3 Supervisor Randy Garrison
- Bob Burress, who spent more than 30 years with the Yavapai County Road Department
- Cornville resident Wiley Cline
- James Gregory, a patrol lieutenant for the Prescott Valley Police Department
- Businessman Tony Ontiveros
- Jodi Rooney, a former member of the Prescott Valley City Council
The primary election will be held on Aug. 4, 2020. All six candidates are running as Republicans.
The only other race in Yavapai County government seats to be contested is the race for County Attorney. Incumbent Sheila Polk is facing former Arizona Rep. David Stringer, who resigned amid a scandal related to child sex-crimes charges in the 1980s.
