(Photo courtesy of the Arizona State Legislature)

Rep. Anna Tovar

A state senator said she is forming an exploratory committee for a seat on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. Anna Tovar said she wants to fill the District 5 post when Mary Rose Wilcox resigns to run for Congress.

Tovar is a former grade school teacher who served on the Tolleson City Council and then four years in the state House before winning a seat in the Arizona Senate. The Democrat said job growth and economic recovery are among her top priorities for district five that covers parts of South Phoenix, Guadalupe, Gila Bend and the Gila River Community. 

"Why not District 5 or the Intels and these different kinds of businesses that can come and serve our constituents?  So, I’ll definitely be pushing for investment in job growth," said Tovar.

She said she will not formally announce her candidacy until Mary Rose Wilcox resigns.

One other candidate, Democratic Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers, has filed her paperwork to run for the seat.