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Arizona Restaurant Owner, Trump Supporter Jorge Rivas Running For Governor

A Tucson restaurant owner who made headlines for his support of former President Donald Trump on the campaign trail last year is now running for higher office.

Jorge Rivas, who owns Sammy’s Mexican Grill in Catalina, told the Arizona Capitol Timeshe’s a better option in the Republican primary for governor than the five candidates who’ve already entered the fray.

The first-time candidate will be counting on the publicity he garnered for backing Trump. Rivas said his restaurant was the target of bad reviews after he attended a Trump rally in Phoenix last year. Trump caught wind of the story and tweeted support for Rivas’ restaurant during his campaign.

The crowded GOP primary field already includes businessman Steve Gaynor, former television anchor Kari Lake, businesswoman Karin Taylor Robson, former Congressman Matt Salmon and state Treasurer Kimberly Yee.

→  2022 Arizona Governor's Race: The Candidates

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Ben Giles is a senior editor at KJZZ.