The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has chosen former state Rep. Shawnna Bolick to replace Sen. Steve Kaiser, a fellow Republican who resigned last month.
She will represent Legislative District 2, which covers portions of north Phoenix from Deer Valley to Paradise Valley.
Bolick is set to serve through 2024, when the new election for the seat is held.
Some members of the board are not happy with their role in the process, however.
When a legislative seat opens, precinct committee members from that lawmaker’s party make a list of three nominees and send that to the Board of Supervisors. The supervisors then make the final selection.
But board chair Clint Hickman said there is little opportunity for the supervisors to vet the candidates.
“We are getting the selection made for us. If that's what's going to occur then, someone else can make that selection. I do not need to be involved in that and put my name and my position on somebody I don't even know," he said.
He has reportedly spoken with the state House speaker and senate president about changing the process.
Hickman added that Bolick was the only nominee to reach out to the board to talk about her vision for the seat.
