By RuthAnn Hogue

PINAL COUNTY (Aug. 30) — When Jayme Valenzuela took to the podium for a recent candidate forum in Gold Canyon, his campaign manager was on hand to wish him well.

Not surprising?

Maybe not, except that in this case, his campaign manager happens to be his 94-year-old grandmother, Melina Cagali.

Valenzuela asked her to stand and be recognized before telling those present why they should cast their vote for him on Tuesday.

“I know what the Department needs on the inside,” he said. “We need to get back to business in policing.”

Valenzuela pointed out recent media reports that have revealed problems with the way the department is being run, specifically those directed at the incumbant sheriff, Chris Vasquez.

If he was doing a good job, Valenezuela said, he would have had more “publicity that was positive.”

Photo by RuthAnn Hogue