Democrat lawmaker stepping down from Arizona House to focus on medical career
Nov 4, 2021, 7:29 PM
PHOENIX — Democratic state Rep. Randall Friese announced Thursday he is stepping down from the Arizona Legislature to refocus on his medical career and service.
Friese, a trauma surgeon, has served in the Arizona House since 2015 and was formerly the assistant minority leader.
“I am extremely proud of my service to my community and the state during the seven years I represented Legislative District 9,” Friese wrote in his resignation letter.
Friese, also citing a desire to focus on his medical career, in September abruptly dropped out of the campaign for an open congressional seat in Southern Arizona despite his fundraising lead among Democratic candidates.
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He treated then-U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords after she was critically wounded in the Jan. 8, 2011, mass shooting in Tucson.
Friese was the second Democrat to step down from the Arizona House on Thursday.
Rep. Charlene Fernandez of Yuma, the former House minority leader, accepted a job with President Joe Biden’s administration.
Both Fernandez and Friese said their resignations are effective Nov. 15.
Democratic precinct committee leaders in each district will nominate a list of potential replacements. The final decision will be made by the elected supervisors in their home counties, with state law requiring successors to be from the same political party.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
