Braswell assumes Senate seat

David Braswell (Photo by Ryan Cook/RJ Cook Photography

Residents from Legislative District 6 have a new senator.

David Braswell, chairman of the district’s Republican Party, formally assumed office after a brief swearing-in ceremony on the Senate floor on Feb. 8.

Braswell replaced Pamela Gorman, who resigned her Senate seat last month in order to run for Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District.

Senators warmly welcomed the chamber’s newest member.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Gray recounted that he, too, was appointed to fill a vacant seat a few years back. To be put in such a situation can be overwhelming, he said.

“But you’ll do fine,” Gray said.

Earlier in the day, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors had appointed Braswell with a unanimous 3-0 vote.

Sups. Andy Kunasek, Fulton Brock and Don Stapley voted for Braswell. Sups. Max Wilson and Mary Rose Wilcox were not present during the meeting.

“I stand before you ready to hit the ground running, ready to stand up and make some tough decisions,” Braswell told the supervisors after his appointment.

He was among three people that were nominated to fill the Senate seat.

The others were Bob Haran, a veteran precinct committeeman, and Lori Klein, a Republican activist.

Haran said the supervisors made a good choice.