(The Center Square) – Former Democratic congressional candidate Jevin Hodge is headed to the Arizona House of Representatives.
He is filling the seat left vacant by former Rep. Athena Salman, who resigned at the end of December to pursue a role on an abortion access campaign. Democratic precinct committeeman in Legislative District 8 then selected three names to give to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, with Hodge ultimately being the final choice.
“I first met Jevin Hodge when we ran against each other for the District 1 Maricopa County Board of Supervisors seat back in 2020,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers said in a statement. “I narrowly won that race, but Mr. Hodge proved to be a tough opponent. I was impressed by his commitment to bettering his community, in particular Tempe where he grew up. I believe his experience and his passion for his community make him an ideal candidate to represent Legislative District 8.”
In 2022, Hodge was the Democratic nominee running against Rep. David Schweikert in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, and he narrowly lost with 49.56% of the vote.
Following the appointment, Hodge credited his personal background to where he is now. He is the president of the Booker T. Washington Child Development Center, a preschool in Phoenix.
“The American Dream is alive and well. I am living proof,” Hodge said in a statement. “Growing up, my family didn’t have much. We lived in public housing and we needed government assistance just to get by. Slowly, our lives got better.”
“My mother always told me to never forget where we came from – and to make sure we found a way to give back. I am humbled by this appointment and grateful to all who supported me. Now, it’s time to get to work. My door is open to anyone who wants to make a difference for Arizona,” he continued.
