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Pinal County board chooses new legislators for vacant seats

360 cap dome pretty
AZPM Staff
The dome atop the Arizona Capitol Museum at the State Capitol in Phoenix. January 2021.

The Pinal County Board of Supervisors tapped Teresa Martinez, an aide for U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, to represent part of southern Arizona in the state Legislature.

Martinez will represent District 11, which includes Marana, Oro Valley and western Pinal County.

She replaces Republican state Rep. Bret Roberts, who announced his resignation last month and moved out of state.

Former state legislator Steve Smith had also sought the appointment.

The board also appointed attorney Neal Carter for a seat in the state House representing Oracle, San Tan Valley and Globe.

He replaces District 8 Republican state Rep. Frank Pratt, who died last month.

Carter ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary against Pratt last year.

Former state legislator Chuck Gray also sought the appointment to succeed Pratt.

The appointments do not change 31-29 Republican majority in the state Legislature. State law tasks county supervisors with filling legislative vacancies, drawing on nominees chosen by the party of the previous office holder. The appointees will finish the remaining terms, which end in 2022.

Online Reporter/Editor & Host, Gavel to Gavel