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Sen. Kelly talks with Somerton business owner about impacts of tariffs

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, left, speaks with Jose Yepez, owner of Yepez Automotive and former mayor in Somerton, Ariz. in Yuma County, and mechanic Pablo Castro on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.
Victor Calderón/KAWC
U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, left, speaks with Jose Yepez, owner of Yepez Automotive and former mayor in Somerton, Ariz. in Yuma County, and mechanic Pablo Castro on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly met with a small business owner in Somerton this past Friday afternoon to discuss how Trump tariffs are impacting his auto repair shop business.

Sen. Kelly met with Jose Yepez, the owner of Yepez Automotive and former mayor of Somerton. Yepez told Kelly that the cost for many auto parts is up 10 to 15 percent.

Kelly said he will continue to fight for Arizona small business owners like Yepez in the Senate.

While he was in Yuma County, the senator also visited produce fields with farmers and farmworkers during harvest and met with local elected officials at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma. Sen. Kelly also met with supporters in Somerton.

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Stay tuned to KAWC to hear from Sen. Kelly and Jose Yepez, the owner of Yepez Automotive in Somerton.

Victor is originally from West Sacramento, California and has lived in Arizona since 2012. He began his print journalism career in 2004 following his graduation from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Victor has been a reporter for the following daily newspapers: The Monterey County Herald, The Salinas Californian and the Reno Gazette-Journal, where he covered stories including agriculture, education and Latino community news. Victor has also served as a local editor for Patch, a national news organization with hyperlocal websites, in Carmichael, Calif. in the Sacramento area. He also served as the editor for The New Vision, the newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, which includes Yuma and La Paz counties. Victor lives in Yuma. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and following most sports.
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