Landrum-Taylor’s Absence Leaves Arizona Legislature With No Black Members

By Dennis Lambert
Published: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 - 10:35am
Updated: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 - 10:36am
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When Phoenix Democratic Sen. Leah Landrum-Taylor leaves the legislature early next year to run for Secretary of State, it will mark the first time in 60 years there will be no black member of the Arizona Legislature.

Landrum-Taylor says she’s hoping that will not be the situation for long, and Phoenix Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego thinks that’s exactly what will happen.

“It will be a short absence,” Gallego said. “There’s a lot of young talented African-American politicians that are coming up through the ranks that I think will be elected fairly soon.”

Landrum-Taylor says she hopes people realize the importance of diversity in the state legislature.