2 more Democratic incumbents bow out of Arizona Legislature runs in pivotal election year

House Democrats' spinning wheel keeps spinning: Two first-term lawmakers announced they would not seek reelection later this year, when control of the Legislature is up for grabs.

Rep. Laura Terech, of north Phoenix, surprised many with her Monday announcement that she will not run for a second term in one of the state's pivotal swing districts.

Her decision came as Rep. Marcelino Quiñonez, rumored to be a candidate for a Phoenix City Council seat, said he would not run for reelection. He was mum as to whether he would resign his seat or finish out his current term. The Phoenix election is in November.

Both announcements came just ahead of Democrats on Tuesday learning they have yet another vacant seat. Rep. Jevin Hodge resigned his seat after a report by The Arizona Republic detailing how he was sanctioned by George Washington University for committing sexual violence and sexual misconduct while a student there in 2015.

Terech declined to give a reason for her decision, other than to say: "It was simply not my time." She said she would share her next steps at an undetermined future date.

In a statement, she pointed with pride to the bipartisan work she did with Republicans to resolve the water shortage in Rio Verde Foothills and her role in shaping an emergency bill to ensure Arizona's 2024 elections would not be hamstrung by any automatic recounts.

While sad to step aside, Terech said she was confident the two Democrats who are now running for Legislative District 4 were well-positioned to help Democrats win a legislative majority. Democrats, along with Gov. Katie Hobbs, have set their sights on flipping the GOP control of the Legislature in this fall's election.

Karen Gresham, president of the Madison Elementary School board, filed to run for one of the district's two House seats last week. Gresham bested Matt Gress, the Republican who currently represents the district, in a 2020 race for the Madison school board.

On Monday night after Terech posted her announcement, former state Rep. Kelli Butler said she was gearing up a campaign. Butler, a current member of the Maricopa County Community College Board, represented many parts of the redrawn district for six years before running for the college board.

Quiñonez represents District 11, which leans heavily Democratic. Five Democrats, not counting Quiñonez, have indicated their interest in winning the seat.

The process to replace Hodge has already kicked off. His resignation letter was sent to the Arizona Secretary of State, who must notify the state Democratic Party chair, who will then tell the District 8 Democratic precinct committee members to organize a meeting to nominate three candidates. That three-name slate will go to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, which will appoint one as the House's newest lawmaker.

Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-228-7566 and follow her on Threads as well as on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @maryjpitzl.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Democrats Terech, Quiñonez won't seek reelection to Arizona Legislature