State Rep. Victoria Steele resigned Monday to focus on her bid to win a seat in Congress this fall.
“This was not an easy decision for me. A lot of people worked hard to help me get elected to LD9 not only once, but twice and I am grateful for all of their support and devotion over the years,” the Tucson Democrat said.
Steele formed an exploratory committee last June, to run against Republican U.S. Rep. Martha McSally in Congressional District 2.
Currently, Steele would face at least one opponent in the Democratic primary — former state Rep. Matt Heinz, an emergency room doctor.
Her resignation early in the legislative session, which began Monday, will allow her replacement, to be picked by the Pima County Board of Supervisors, to be in place as Democrats begin to negotiate with statehouse Republicans and Republican Gov. Doug Ducey.
State Rep. Eric Meyer, House majority leader, agreed with Steele.
“I know that Rep. Steele made a difficult decision to resign from the House Democratic Caucus,” he said. I support her choice and believe it will best serve her community and the state of Arizona by allowing her to focus fully on her future endeavors. At the same time, it will provide an opportunity for the new appointee to contribute to the legislative process sooner.”
Steele has been in the Legislature since 2012.
Democratic precinct men and women in Legislative District 9 are expected to meet this week to recommend possible replacements to the Board of Supervisors. The appointee must be a Democrat and live in District 9, which stretches from the northwest and Foothills area to midtown Tucson.
Pamela Powers Hannley, Matt Kopec, Ted Prezelski and Aaron Rottenstein all have indicated they are interested in filling out the remainder of Steele’s term in the House.
