Board of Supervisors appoints Christian Solorio to vacant Arizona House seat

PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday appointed Christian Solorio to fill the Arizona House seat vacated by fellow Democrat Raquel Terán.

Terán replaced Tony Navarrete in the Arizona Senate after Navarrete resigned following being charged with child molestation. Navarrete has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial.

Solorio, an architect, will serve Legislative District 30, which covers west-central Phoenix from downtown up to Dunlap Avenue and west to 67th Avenue.

He grew up in west Phoenix and went to school in the Alhambra Elementary School and Phoenix High School districts before graduating from Arizona State University.

Solorio said that as a professional architect he’s witnessed disparity in design and disinvestment in communities throughout the state.

“It shaped my career, and it motivated me to participate in my local planning committee and serve as a local school board member,” Solorio said in a press release.

“Today, I have received the great responsibility to take it a step further. I appreciate the support of my community, and I look forward to serving each resident in my district.”

Supervisor Steve Gallardo of District 5 nominated Solorio.

“Christian is a dedicated servant leader who has advocated for affordable housing, better schools and has worked directly with several charities that serve our most vulnerable populations,” Gallardo, a Democrat, said in a press release.

“I know Solorio will be a tremendous public servant for the constituents in LD-30.”

Solorio was selected from a group of three candidates submitted by a citizen’s panel.

Two Republican House vacancies in southern Arizona were also filled Wednesday by the Pima County Board of Supervisors. Neal Carter will take over in District 8 for the late Frank Pratt, and Teresa Martinez was appointed to replace Bret Roberts, who resigned, in District 11.

All of the appointments are to complete terms that run through 2022.

An appointed replacement must come from the same party as the person they replace, per state law.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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