Linda Lopez

Richard Elias

Richard Elias, chairman of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, indicated to PolitickerAZ.com Wednesday that he might be interested at taking a run for the 7th Congressional District seat if U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Tucson) vacates it to become secretary of the Department of the Interior in the Obama administration.

"If that happens, and I certainly wish Congressman Grijalva all the best with it, me and my family would have to take a long, hard look" at a run for his seat, Elias said.

Grijalva is regarded as one of the top contenders for the Interior post, and if he were nominated and confirmed, his departure would trigger a special election to fill his 7th district seat.

A Democratic primary in LD29 is now officially on. With state Rep. Tom Prezelski (D-Tucson) running again and state Rep. Linda Lopez (D-Tucson) termed out, there's room for one more Democrat on the ballot.

However, there are two Dems vying for the spot. Matt Heinz filed last week for the LD29 House race, and now that Daniel Patterson has become official as well, the fight is on in this reliably Democratic district.