Ed Pastor's Retirement Prompts Candidates To Seek The Democratic Safe Seat

By: Genesis Monserrate

U.S Congressman Ed Pastor’s sudden retirement has sparked interest to possible candidates wanting to take over the safe democratic seat, which was occupied by the congressman for 23 years.

Pastor, who became the first Hispanic from Arizona to be elected to Congress, is leaving behind a long, successful trajectory within the Arizona community.

Due to his support in the Latino community and representation in the Phoenix District, Pastor’s seat will be a difficult one to replace. Pastor’s district is made up of mostly Latinos, reaching the towns of  Guadalupe, Tolleson, south of Glendale, and the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Among the candidates willing to occupy the congressional seat are Senator Ruben Gallego, a Harvard graduate and former Marine, striving to improve the national image of Arizona, Steve Gallardo, a Democratic senator who openly declared himself as gay, will be focusing on immigration rights like Senator Gallardo. In addition, Ron Cho, a White House staffer who was born to Korean immigrants, will also be focusing on immigration.

Ruben Gallego declared he will be running for the seat via Twitter. Democrat Mary Rose Wilcox, a Maricopa County Supervisor, is also interested in the position.

 There have been more Democratic candidates running for the seat than Republicans. However, there is a chance a Republican candidate will try to seek Pastor’s seat.

Only time will tell who will take over the seat of Ed Pastor.