By Dianna M. Náñez
The Arizona Republic
In less time than it takes to boil an egg, Legislative District 17 Democratic precinct committee members on Thursday nominated three party stalwarts to potentially fill the House seat left open when state Rep. Ben Arredondo resigned earlier this month.
Randy Keating, District 26 Democratic chairman and formerly chairman for District 17; Juan Mendez, a District 26 House candidate; and Kristin Gwinn, a longtime activist and current District 26 Democratic treasurer, were nominated by a majority vote at a Tempe meeting that lasted about three minutes. Gwinn and Keating said they would be honored to serve, but that they would like to see Mendez appointed.
Arizona law requires the state Democratic Party chairman to forward the nominees’ names to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, which must appoint a representative from among the precinct members’ three selections.
