The result of 16 months of political campaigning will be determined today for the youngest county supervisor candidate in Arizona's 84-year history.

Today's primaries will determine if 21-year-old Chris Jones, a University of Arizona education junior, will move on to the general election in November.

Jones, who collected signatures from about 300 registered Democrats over the summer, is running against four others for the District 1 Pima County Supervisor position.

District 1, which covers mostly the northern part of the county, excludes the UA campus, but Jones said the district is substantially populated by UA students.

Although Jones is the youngest candidate, he said he does not think the age factor will affect his chances.

"I personally think I have enough experience for the office," he said.

Originally from Tempe, Jones has lived in Tucson for 11 years. He attended Amphitheater High School and received an associate of general studies degree from Pima Community College.

Jones, who is the chairman of the board for the American Student Association of Community Colleges, said he represents about 11 million students while lobbying Congress. He said ASACC, a Washington, D.C.- based advocacy group, is the largest constituency in higher education.

He said he got involved in politics during his second semester at PCC.

"I realized it was time to register and get involved," he said.

Jones said his political career began while he was in community college, when he went to the local Democratic headquarters. In 1994, he began campaigning for Brad Forest, who was running for Pima County Treasurer at the time.

Jones said he is looking forward to today's primary.

"It's been a roller coaster ride," Jones said. "Overall, I have had a great learning experience."

Carrying 15 units at the UA, maintaining a 3.5 grade point average, campaigning for political office, representing 11 million students and umpiring baseball on the side necessitates a lot of balancing, Jones said.

He said he relies on "little sleep, good organization and just basic time management."

"Sometimes," Jones said, "I spread myself too thin. But I really enjoy what I'm doing."

"I have what it takes to be in office," Jones said, citing his intelligence, charisma and composure as his assets.

Tonight, Jones will be awaiting the election results at home with his family and friends, he said.

As far as future political plans, Jones said he is going to "take it one day at a time."

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