3 names suggested for Arredondo seat

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.

The appointee will complete the term for Arredondo, a Tempe Democrat, which ends in January.

The longtime Republican politician switched parties before seeking the House seat.

Keating said precinct members moved fast to schedule the vote because they are concerned about serving constituents.

"The district deserves the full representation at the state Legislature," Keating said, adding that he hopes the Board of Supervisors will make the appointment soon.

Arredondo, who served as a Tempe councilman before his election to the House, pleaded guilty Oct. 5 in federal court to two felonies.

He admitted soliciting and accepting a bribe and committing mail fraud when he misled donors about a college-scholarship fund that he secretly used to benefit his relatives.

Under the plea, he agreed to immediately resign from the Legislature, and federal prosecutors agreed to dismiss all other charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 22.

He was indicted May 16 on charges of bribery, mail fraud, lying and extortion stemming from an FBI sting that took place from February 2009, when Arredondo was a councilman, to November 2010, shortly after he won the House seat.

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