Lopes retained as House Dem leader; Brown, Gallardo also win caucus posts

Arizona Capitol Reports Staff//November 17, 2006//[read_meter]

With their numbers bolstered after the election earlier this month, Democrats in the House of Representatives voted Nov. 9 to retain Phil Lopes as caucus leader.
He says the caucus needs to be unified to utilize its new position, after gaining at least four seats in the Nov. 7 election, narrowing the Republican advantage in the chamber to 35-25.
“In order for us to take advantage of our new numbers, we’ve got to be together,” he said. “And we’ve got to be together in a way that’s functional.”
Mr. Lopes, D-27, said the way to unify the group was to build trust among members, which he plans to do through weekly meetings in which the members will discuss strategy and air differences.
House Democrats also elected Rep. Jack Brown, D-5, as assistant minority leader and Rep. Steve Gallardo, D-13, as minority whip. Mr. Lopes praised them for their commitment.
“They’re both people who are committed to the agenda of the caucus and not their own personal agendas,” he said.

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