GOP leaders announce 3 candidates to replace Rep. David Stringer in LD1 seat

Former Senate President Steve Pierce, former Secretary of State Ken Bennett join Steven Sensmeier for April 3 nomination

The Yavapai County Republican Precinct Committeemen from Legislative District 1 have selected three individuals to replace the embattled Rep. David Stringer, who resigned last week after a police report was obtained by the House Ethics Committee of a 1983 arrest in Maryland for allegedly paying two underage boys for sex.

Former Arizona Senate President Steve Pierce, GOP field organizer Steven Sensmeier and former Arizona Secretary of state Ken Bennett were selected out of a field of 11 candidates by a voting process that took place Sunday by the Republican committee.

All three names will be sent to the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors for consideration to replace Stringer in the LD1 seat for the Arizona House of Representatives.

Among the eight others nominated for the LD1 seat were Debbie McClane, Jodi Rooney, Lucy Mason, Jim Dutton, Jeff Wasowicz, Chris Kuknyo, Ray Everett and Alex Harris.

UPCOMING APPOINTMENT

On Wednesday, April 3, the Board of Supervisors will vote to appoint a new state representative to LD1, pursuant to A.R.S §41-1202, according to a Board of Supervisors press release.

The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, and will be held at the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors meeting room located at 1015 Fair St., Prescott, AZ 86305. It can also be viewed online by visiting yavapai.us/meetings/video-list.

SWEARING IN

Randy Garrison, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, told the Courier in a story last week that county officials were notified of the coming replacement process by Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, just hours after Stringer’s resignation.

The Board of Supervisors is prepared to make the final appointment Wednesday and swear in the new LD1 state representative, Garrison said.

“This is the middle of the (legislative) session, and we want to get somebody in office as soon as possible,” Garrison told the Courier March 28.

The special meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday will precede the board’s regular April 3 meeting.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. is news/sports editor for The Daily Courier of Prescott News Network. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and SoundCloud at @TheEditorDesk. Email bbergner@prescottaz.com or call 928-445-3333, ext. 1106.