Elected to the Pinal County Board of Supervisors in 2008, Pete Rios continues a 24-year distinguished career of public service.

Hailing from the copper mining towns of Hayden, Winkleman and Dudleyville, Rios attended Arizona State University and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology in 1973 and a Masters Degree in Social Service Administration in 1976.

Rios, one of 14 children, grew up in the Copper Corridor area of Pinal County and attended Hayden High School where he participated in three major sports and student government.

He was first elected to public office in 1982 as a State Senator and held positions of Democratic Whip and Democratic Assistant Leader.

In 1991, Rios was elected as President of the Arizona State Senate for the 40th Legislature, making him the first Latino Senate President in the history of the state.

He also served two terms in the Arizona House of Representatives and during his legislative career Rios was a member of the following committees:

• Appropriations,
• Higher Education,
• Judiciary,
• Transportation,
• Government,
• K-12 Education,
• Human Resources,
• Health and Welfare,
• Banking and Insurance,
• Rules, serving as Chairman
• Criminal Justice,
• Joint Legislative Audit Committee,
• Joint Legislative Budget Committee,
• Joint Legislative Committee on DES Block Grants,
• Joint Select Committee on Corrections, and
• Joint Ad Hoc Task Force on Higher Education Reform.

The District One Supervisor is married and has three children and resides in Dudleyville with a temporary residence in Superior. Rios’ wife, Gloria, is a registered nurse. One of his children has followed in his footsteps and has dedicated her life to public service. Rebecca is currently serving as a State Senator for Legislative District 23, which is mostly Pinal County.

Rios came back to his home county to help chart the future of a fast changing and diverse community.