Rep. Arlando Teller (D) resigned from the Arizona House of Representatives on Feb. 1 to join the Biden administration as deputy assistant secretary for tribal affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation. He represented District 7 from 2019 to 2021.
Teller most recently won re-election on Nov. 3, 2020. He was one of two candidates elected to the two-seat district, the other being Myron Tsosie (D). Upon resigning, Teller said, “It has been nothing but a pleasure — sincere pleasure working with all of you despite our disagreements, despite our party affiliation. At the end of the day, we have worked for the communities that we represent.”
According to Arizona’s Revised Statutes, state legislative vacancies are filled by the board of county supervisors. However, the political party committee of the last incumbent submits a list to the board of county supervisors who must then choose the new member from the list.
As of Feb. 8, 2021, there have been 23 state legislative vacancies in 18 states this year. Five of those vacancies have been filled, with 18 vacancies remaining. Teller’s vacancy is one of 11 Democratic vacancies to have occurred in 2021. So far, three vacancies have been filled by Democrats, while two have been filled by Republicans.
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