Arizona lawmaker appointed to agriculture post in Biden administration

PHOENIX – An Arizona lawmaker announced Thursday she is resigning from the state House after being appointed to a role in the Biden administration.

Rep. Charlene Fernandez, a Democrat from District 4, was named the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Arizona director of rural development.

District 4 covers a chunk of southwest Arizona across parts of Yuma, Pima, Pinal and Maricopa counties.

“I have had the opportunity to represent working families, teachers, farmers and so many more who have taught me the great need for continued action across our state,” Fernandez wrote in her resignation letter.

“I will continue serving those communities, with the same Democratic values, in a new capacity as I move on to a new chapter.”

Excited to join the US Dept of Agriculture as State Director of Rural Development. I'll continue to advocate for the same communities and values in my new role. https://t.co/STd2Q8npBa

— Charlene Fernandez (@CharleneforAZ) November 4, 2021

Her resignation goes into effect Nov. 15.

Fernandez was first elected to the Arizona House in 2014 and served for a time as minority leader in the GOP-controlled chamber.

According to the White House, she has worked for late U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor and current U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva.

She also served as a liaison to the business community for the Arizona Department of Environment Quality under former then-Gov. Janet Napolitano.

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