Arizona state Rep. Frank Pratt dies following long illness

PHOENIX — Republican state Rep. Frank Pratt died Tuesday at age 79 following a long illness, the Arizona House of Representatives announced.

Pratt, who represented parts of Pinal and Gila counties for District 8, was elected to the House in November 2020.

He had previously served District 8 as a senator and House representative since 2009.

The Arizona House of Representatives mourns the loss of one of its most senior and beloved members. Representative Frank Pratt, husband, father, rancher, farmer, businessman, and legislator passed away today after a long illness. https://t.co/lMaDcsnhM1 pic.twitter.com/Cjy1Y5jXln

— AZ House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) September 21, 2021

“Frank Pratt is an irreplaceable figure in the Arizona State Legislature,” House Speaker Rusty Bowers said in a statement. “The honor, integrity and high ethic by which he conducted himself in his service is incomparable.

“He loved what he did and wouldn’t let anything stop him from doing it.”

Pratt is survived by his wife, Janice, and his family.

Gov. Doug Ducey ordered all flags at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Wednesday in honor of Pratt.

“Frank Pratt did it all — public servant, business owner, rancher, farmer and family man,” Ducey said in a tweet. “He was one of the good guys, and we’re lucky he called Arizona home. He will be deeply missed.”

Sen. T.J. Shope, who previously served in the House with Pratt in District 8, mourned the loss of a man he considered a mentor.

“He was a trailblazer not just in Pinal County politics but also in life,” Shope said. “While most knew him to be a quiet type who played his cards close to the vest, I knew him as somebody of deep conviction and a firm belief in right and wrong.”

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