TEMPE, Ariz. — Voters in parts of Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix and the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community will have a new legislator representing them.
Jevin Hodge, a Democrat, has been selected to fill Rep. Athena Salman's vacant seat in Legislative District 8 after Salman announced her resignation late last year.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors picked Hodge from a list of three candidates submitted by the LD-8 precinct committeemen. Hodge will serve the remainder of the term through Dec. 31, 2024. This position will be on the ballot come Nov. 5.
"The American Dream is alive and well. I am living proof," said Hodge. "Growing up, my family didn’t have much. We lived in public housing and we needed government assistance just to get by. Slowly, our lives got better. My mother always told me to never forget where we came from - and to make sure we found a way to give back. I am humbled by this appointment and grateful to all who supported me. Now, it’s time to get to work. My door is open to anyone who wants to make a difference for Arizona."
Hodge previously ran against Rep. David Schweikert (R) for a seat in LD 1, and narrowly lost by less than 1% of the total vote. This appointment will be Hodge's first time in the state legislature.
Hodge, a Democrat, previously served as the President of the Tempe Union High School Education Foundation. He was the National Engagement Director for Link Strategic Partners, and chair of the Booker T. Washington Child Development Center.
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