Arizona lawmaker won’t seek re-election, moving to Colorado

PHOENIX (AP) - An Arizona lawmaker won’t seek re-election this fall and is planning to leave the state next year.

The Arizona Capitol Times reports (https://bit.ly/23LpCAJ ) that Sen. Andrew Sherwood, a Tempe Democrat, announced this week that he will serve the remainder of his term and move to Colorado in January.

Sherwood’s wife, Amber Gell, works for NASA and Lockheed Martin in Colorado.

His exit means Rep. Juan Mendez, also a Democrat, is now the only declared candidate for the district’s Senate seat.

Both Mendez and Sherwood sought appointment to the Senate when former Sen. Ed Ableser resigned. Although Sherwood was appointed, Mendez decided to challenge him in the 2016 primary.

No Republicans are currently running in the district.

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Information from: Arizona Capitol Times, https://www.arizonacapitoltimes.com