The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has appointed its second state representative in less than a week.

The Board appointed Charles Lucking to fill the vacancy in the House of Representatives in Legislative District 5 following the resignation of both former Representatives in January, ensuring full representation in the District. did.

“I am extremely excited and honored to represent LD5 in Congress,” Lucking said in a news release following his appointment. “Arizona faces a plethora of extremely complex challenges, including a housing crisis. As a people servant, I will do the hard work to implement real solutions for all Arizonans. I’d like to get started.”

The board previously appointed Rep. Sara Liguori (D-Phoenix) to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Jennifer Longdon on Feb. 7.

Mr. Lucking is an attorney at Community Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm that assists clients in a variety of areas, including housing.

County Supervisor Bill Gates said Lucking stood out among the three candidates because of his background in housing.

“Charles Lucking and Sara Liguori will be a very strong team for LD5 on this and other issues,” Gates said.

Mr. Lucking was also appointed by the LD5 Democratic Party to oversee the spending process, and Mr. Gates said that was another strong element of his appointment.

“Arizona and our caucus have gained a passionate advocate who will use his legal expertise to address pressing social issues like the housing crisis and environmental protection,” said House Minority Whip Lupe Contreras, D-Avondale. party leader said in a news release. “With his deep roots and unwavering dedication to service, advocacy, and community empowerment, Congressman Luck will be an influential figure in our caucus.”

The other two candidates nominated by LD5 Democrats last week were Arizona Democratic Party Vice Chair Brianna Westbrook and 2018 Democratic Party nominee for Secretary of State Mark Robert Gordon.

Westbrook and Gordon were also nominated for the Longdon seat. Mr. Westbrook and Mr. Liguori are running for Congress this year.

Maricopa supervisors also planned on Wednesday to appoint a lawmaker to fill the vacancy in the Legislative District 22 House of Representatives, previously held by Leesa Sun.

The board put the appointment on hold after Supervisor Clint Hickman said he needed more time to vet candidates. The board received the names of the candidates from the LD22 Democratic District Committee on Monday night.

“It also gives us a little bit of time to vet some of these people because we don't want to appoint an ax murderer,” Hickman said. “I'm tired of saying it, but it seems like we have a lot of commitments.”

Since the 2022 election, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has appointed seven members to fill vacancies. There was also a vacancy on the Pima County Board of Supervisors that needed to be filled in 2023.

The next appointment for the LD22 seat will be either Tolleson Union High School Board President Elda Luna Najera, 2022 LD22 House Candidate Natacha Chavez, or former State Sen. Martin Quesada.

“We know how important the work is on the other side of the Capitol,” said Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo. “These are always difficult decisions.”