The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors filled the last remaining vacancy in the state House of Representatives Tuesday, bringing the House one step closer to full membership before a critical day for lawmakers who want to repeal the territorial-era abortion ban.
Junelle Cavero will fill the vacant House seat in Legislative District 11, replacing former Rep. Marcelino Quiñonez, who resigned on April 4.
“As I step into the role of representing Legislative District 11, I am deeply honored to accept this responsibility,” Cavero said in a House Democrats news release. “In a time that calls for unwavering commitment to our communities, I am dedicated to being a tireless champion for reproductive justice, affordable housing, and the economic issues affecting everyday Arizonans. I pledge to work night and day to serve and uplift the voices of working families and our communities.”
LD11 covers south Phoenix, Laveen, Guadalupe and Central City.
Democrats are trying to swear Cavero in Wednesday morning prior to the House’s floor session at 10 a.m.
Last week, Democrats and Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, attempted to put a bill up for a vote that would repeal the 1864 abortion ban. They didn’t have enough votes to succeed but a Democratic caucus at full strength of 29 members and Gress would be enough votes to have a tie vote with Republicans, who hold a 31-29 majority.
Rep. David Cook, R-Globe, said last week he supported repealing the 1864 law. His vote with Democrats and Gress would be enough to succeed and Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, D-Tucson, said Democrats will try to bring the bill up for a vote every day the House gavels in.
Republicans are considering preliminary alternative strategies to navigate their approach with abortion legislation, according to an accidentally released PowerPoint presentation from House Majority General Counsel Linley Wilson.
Cavero, a small business owner and political consultant, is the sixth Democrat who has been appointed to the House this legislative session. The caucus has spent most of the session without full representation after former Reps. Athena Salman, Amish Shah, Jennifer Longdon, Leezah Sun, Jevin Hodge and Quiñonez have turned in letters of resignation for various reasons.
“Representative Cavero brings a wealth of business experience and political savvy to our Caucus, and we look forward to her joining our Caucus as soon as possible. We have no doubts she will hit the ground running as budget negotiations heat up and we take other significant votes for our state’s future,” House Minority Leader Lupe Contreras, D-Avondale, said in a Tuesday written statement.
Cavero previously ran for state Senate in 2022, but lost to Sen. Catherine Miranda, D-Laveen, during the 2022 Democratic primary election.
Her Senate campaign racked up $11,750 in late fines, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State’s office.
The Arizona Republic reported that she is trying to rectify the situation and learned two days ago that the fines accumulated because her campaign committee didn’t close out properly.
