3 Arizonans, including state lawmaker, join Biden administration

PHOENIX — Three Arizonans, including a Democratic state lawmaker, have recently accepted positions in President Joe Biden’s administration.

Arlando Teller of Chinle resigned from the Arizona House of Representatives on Monday to become deputy assistant secretary for tribal affairs under the U.S. Department of Transportation.

He previously worked for the Navajo Division of Transportation, California’s transportation department and the city of Phoenix aviation department.

The Apache County Board of Supervisors will appoint a Democratic replacement for Teller from a list of three candidates chosen by a citizen’s panel.

Wahleah Johns of Tonizhoni, who like Teller is a member of Navajo Nation, will lead the Office of Indian Energy under the U.S. Department of Energy.

She has been the executive director of Native Renewables, an organization she co-founded that works to bring solar energy systems to Native American communities.

“Words cannot express how proud we are of these two young Navajo professionals, who have dedicated themselves to serving our Navajo people and are now moving onto the federal level to help empower all tribal nations,” Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a press release Monday.

On Tuesday, Flagstaff’s Liz Archuleta resigned her seat on the Coconino County Board of Supervisors to take a senior staff position in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Archuleta, a Democrat who served on the board for 24 years, said her heart “will always remain with the community I call home and which has been so good to me.”

The board will choose Archuleta’s replacement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Related

Goodyear police officer investigated over potential misuse of Flock technologyMesa International Film Festival brings indie film showcase downtownWhich Arizona cities, counties, law enforcement agencies have stopped using Flock cameras?Water, housing costs top Arizona voters’ focus, statewide survey findsFlood watch issued for parts of Maricopa County as storms threaten heavy rainArizona’s tribal, rural communities will bear the brunt as Colorado River plan fails to stabilize