Rep. Athena Salman's resignation means a shakeup for Democrats in Tempe district
In Tempe, an open Arizona House seat is garnering interest from Democrats. The district’s remaining House member is now eyeing a move to the Senate.
Rep. Athena Salman (D-Tempe) announced on Wednesday that she is resigning from the Arizona House of Representatives, which means the legislative district’s Democrats will meet soon and select candidates to replace her.
Each district has two House seats and one Senate seat.
Salman’s seatmate, Rep. Melody Hernandez (D-Tempe), says she’s “strongly considering” running for the district’s Senate seat in 2024, since current Sen. Juan Mendez (D-Tempe) is termed out.
Mendez, Salman’s husband, confirmed in a text that though he’s leaving the Senate, he’ll run again for one of the two House seats in 2024.
Jevin Hodge, who challenged Congressman David Schweikert last year, announced on X that he’s considering a run as well. He did not respond to requests for comment.
Another district Democrat, Janeen Connolly, has filed a statement of interest to run for the House seat in 2024.
Jacob Raiford — the district vice chair — said he’s also throwing his hat in the ring.
Raiford said he’s worked as an advocate in Maricopa County for years, and worked on the Black Lives Matter movement.
“We have recently revitalized our [legislative district],” he said. “The best way to utilize my time would be to throw my hat in the ring.”
Raiford also called Hodge and Connolly “amazing Democrats.”
As of Thursday, legislative district Democrats hadn’t yet picked a date to select candidates to replace Salman, but Raiford said it will be an expedited process, and he’ll recuse himself from the selection administration.
