PHOENIX (AP) - The Latest on the selection of a replacement for former Arizona Rep. David Stringer, who resigned amid scrutiny of 1983 sex-crimes charges (all times local):
12:15 p.m.
Republican Steve Pierce has been sworn in to the Arizona House of Representatives filling the seat left vacant by David Stringer, who resigned amid an ethics probe.
Pierce took the oath of office Wednesday hours after he was selected by the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors.
Stringer stepped down a week ago ahead of the release of documents showing he was accused of paying teens for sex in 1983 in Baltimore. He has denied wrongdoing.
Pierce is a rancher who served in the Legislature for eight years and led the Senate in 2012.
His return to the Legislature restores Republicans majority in the House, where legislation was stalled for a week as the GOP lacked enough votes to pass legislation without support from Democrats.
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10 a.m.
Former Arizona Senate President Steve Pierce will fill the state House seat left vacant by the resignation of Republican Rep. David Stringer.
The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Wednesday to appoint Pierce. He’s expected to take the oath of office later Wednesday, restoring the governing majority for Republicans.
Action in the House has been on hold since Stringer stepped down a week ago as Republicans lack the votes to approve legislation without support from Democrats.
Pierce was chosen over former Secretary of State Ken Bennett and GOP organizer Steven Sensmeier. The supervisors say Pierce and Bennett are both respected and could hit the ground running. But some were concerned that Bennett has a strained relationship with Gov. Doug Ducey after challenging him in the GOP primary last year.
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12 a.m.
The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors meets Wednesday to choose a replacement for former Republican Rep. David Stringer, who resigned last week amid scrutiny of 1983 sex-crimes charges.
The supervisors will choose from former state Senate President Steve Pierce, former Secretary of State Ken Bennett and GOP organizer Steven Sensmeier. The three candidates were selected by the Republican precinct committeemen in the county.
Stringer stepped down a week ago when confronted with a Baltimore police report showing he was investigated for allegedly sexually abusing two teenage boys. He’s denied the charges.
Replacing Stringer will allow normal business to resume in the House. Action there has ground to a halt as Republicans lack the votes to pass legislation without support from Democrats.
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