Former lawmaker elected to fill Democratic House seat for Arizona’s 4th district

PHOENIX – The Arizona House Democratic Caucus has returned to full strength as the Legislature’s current term comes to a close.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on Monday elected former legislator Dr. Eric Meyer to fill a vacant seat in Legislative District 4.

The Paradise Valley resident previously served in the House of Representatives from 2009 to 2017 and was the House Democratic Leader from 2014 to 2016.

“I have enjoyed my years of prior service in the House and look forward to responding to the needs of my constituents and the issues facing all Arizonans. I am honored to have this opportunity and understand the importance and magnitude of my appointed position,” Meyer said in a news release.

She won the nod over two other nominees, Kelli Butler and Karen Gresham.

PRESS RELEASE: Welcome back! Former House Democratic Leader Dr. Eric Meyer has been appointed to fill the vacant District 4 seat #pata de az image.twitter.com/q9BOhCXrsH

— Arizona House Democrats (@AZHouseDems) August 12, 2024

Meyer will fill a seat that has been vacant since Laura Terech resigned in late June after the Legislature adjourned for a year. Terech moved to a special projects position in the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.

However, the new appointee will not have much to do upon his return to office unless lawmakers are called into a special session before the end of the year.

“Dr. Meyer is certainly prepared to hit the ground running if asked,” Supervisor Bill Gates said Monday after introducing the motion to appoint Meyer.

Meanwhile, Butler and Gresham are busy competing for the two LD4 House seats in a tight November general election race. Their Republican opponents are incumbent Matt Gress and Pamela Carter.

LD4, which covers parts of north and east Phoenix, central Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, is one of the few districts in the state that has a representative from each party this session.

Overall, it was a session full of changes for House Democrats. Athena Salman, Jennifer Longdon, Leezah Sun, Amish Shah, Jevin Hodge and Marcelino Quiñonez preceded Terech out of the House.

Follow @kstonezone