Triadvocates Navigator (March 13, 2024)

With the recent swearing in of Elda Luna-Nájera as the newest member of the Arizona State Legislature, we finally have a full slate of lawmakers after significant turnover.

Here’s a quick intro to our newest members:

Rep. Elda Luna-Nájerai (D-LD 22)

Rep. Luna-Nájera is the president of the Tolleson Union High School District. She's also an educator, working on high school programs aimed at foster and homeless youth. She is a first-generation Mexican American and holds a doctorate in social work. Rep. Luna-Nájera now fills the seat in LD 22 vacated by former state Rep. Leezah Sun, who resigned following an ethics investigation.

Rep. Charles Lucking (D-LD 5)

A fifth-generation Arizonan, Rep. Lucking is a practicing attorney specializing in contract, tax and real property. Prior to serving in the Legislature, he worked for Community Legal Services of Arizona—a local nonprofit committed to increasing fairness in the civil justice system. In addition to Phoenix, he has lived and worked in Samoa, Chile, and Argentina, as well as Dallas. He and his wife, Skye, have two children. He replaces Rep. Amish Shah, who resigned to run for Congress.

Rep. Sarah Liguori (D-LD 5)

Rep. Liguori is a familiar face at the Legislature, having been appointed to represent what was then LD 28 in October 2021. A native Arizonan, she has a background in economics and commercial real estate and became a licensed financial advisor during the downturn of the Great Recession. Rep. Liguori is the mother of two young sons. Her husband, Andrew, is a radiologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She filled the seat vacated by Rep. Jennifer Longdon, who accepted a position as Chief External Affairs Officer for the Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers.

Representative Jevin Hodge (D-LD 8)

A familiar face in local politics, Rep. Hodge previously served as Vice Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party and ran for office in Maricopa County twice. In 2022, he was the Democratic nominee for Arizona’s First Congressional District (Phoenix, Scottsdale), coming within a single point of flipping the seat. Professionally, Rep. Hodge is currently Director of National Engagement & Partnerships for LINK Strategic Partners, an international consulting firm based in D.C. The oldest son of a single mom, he grew up in public housing in Tempe. He was the first in his family to graduate from college, earning a degree in Political Science & Public Policy from the George Washington University in D.C. He replaces Rep. Athena Salman, who accepted a position as Director of Arizona Campaigns for Reproductive Freedom For All.

Rumors are swirling of another potential resignation in the House, so there may be more to come on that. But for the meantime, you can find the latest breakdown of each committee by clicking here.