Two state lawmakers in Arizona, one from each political party, resigned Wednesday.
“To my constituents & colleagues, I’m writing to inform you of my resignation, effective September 30th, from my House seat in Legislative District 11. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with you, the Republican caucus, and the entire House,” Rep. Bret Roberts (D-AZ-11) announced on Twitter.
To my constituents & colleagues,
I'm writing to inform you of my resignation, effective September 30th, from my House seat in Legislative District 11.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with you, the Republican caucus, and the entire House.
— Bret Roberts (@BretRbrts) September 8, 2021
Roberts did not elaborate very deeply on the reason for his resignation, though he did cite his family as the main driver.
“For all those inquiring, after much consideration this decision was made merely on the basis that it is best for our family. Once again, Wishing all of you the best,” he said in a further tweet.
For all those inquiring, after much consideration this decision was made merely on the basis that it is best for our family.
Once again,
Wishing all of you the best. https://t.co/LZUqwTbJMV
— Bret Roberts (@BretRbrts) September 9, 2021
State Sen. Kirsten Engel (D-District 10) also resigned from her post Wednesday. She is in her first term in the state Senate, and has only served in the role since January. Before that, she was a two-term member of the State House of Representatives. She is also an environmental law professor at the University of Arizona.
Now, she has greater aspirations.
She is running for U.S. Congress in Arizona’s second district, and will focus her full attention on that race, saying that ” is not an endeavor to be taken lightly.”
“I know how much work it will take to win this district, and I’m ready to take on that challenge whole-heartedly,” Engel reportedly said.
Incumbent Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ-02) is retiring from the seat in 2022. The district is historically a toss-up between Democrats and Republicans.
She will square off against State Rep. Daniel Hernandez (D-AZ-02) in the Democrat Party primary for that seat.
– – –
Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Bret Roberts” by Bret Roberts. Photo “Kirsten Engel” by Kirsten Engel. Background Photo “Arizona Capitol” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.
