Yuma County Sheriff candidate holds campaign event in Somerton

SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The November election is quickly approaching and many candidates are making more public appearances. This evening, Yuma County Sheriff candidate Mark Martinez is holding an event to shine a light on his campaign.

If elected, Martinez would be Yuma County’s first Latino sheriff.

“As a Latino, you know, I strongly support him, you know, we're in the underrepresented community in Yuma County. So, therefore, he's got my vote.”

Locals in Somerton had the opportunity to meet Mark Martinez as he eyes the top sheriff position in the county.

The candidate spent nearly 30 years at the sheriff’s office, he played lead roles in many departments.

His Republican opponent and incumbent, Sheriff Wilmot, has been with the Yuma County Sheriff's Office (YCSO) for over seven years.

The two worked together, in fact, Martinez's last gig at YCSO was as jail commander.

Mark Martinez spoke with us this afternoon, he explains what his first 90 days in office would look like.

“I’m going to reach out to the community. Let them know who the sheriff is and he would county, first of all, thank them. But I want to get out to the first 90 days, find out what their concerns are find out what we can do for the next four years. I think that's key. Let them know that we're here and what I say, I mean,” Martinez said.

Martinez explains why the community should choose him?

"They should choose me I have 32 years in law enforcement experience. I'm experienced on both sides of the house in the detention side and the patrol side, which is significantly more than what my opponent has, especially managing detention I have 20 years of military experience leadership on both ends. I feel that makes me the better candidate, I'm from Yuma, I'm homegrown, I care about my community and everything that we do,” Martinez said.

He wants to put the community first.

“He’s a people person. Look at him. He's right there with the people mingling with them with us with everybody you know that you know he's, he's your chair if you know right next to you shoulder to shoulder.”

Supporters, like Henry Martinez, seem to enjoy the personal connection they have with the candidate.

“He’s a people person. Look at him. He's right there with the people mingling with them with us with everybody you know that you know he's, he's your chair if you know right next to you shoulder to shoulder.”

Martinez says he will visit other communities in Yuma County in the next two months.