Board appoints Sylvia Allen to fill Legislative District 7 vacancy

The Navajo County Board of Supervisors appointed Sylvia Allen to fill a legislative vacancy in Arizona's Legislative District 7.

The vacancy arose after Representative Dave Marshall became county recorder. The local Republican committee submitted three nominees; the board heard public comment and short statements from the nominees. Cecilia Laughlin and other precinct members urged the board to select Sylvia Allen, citing her prior experience in the Arizona State Senate, leadership roles and knowledge of the legislative process.

Sylvia Allen addressed the board, described her longtime ties to the district and emphasized her experience with state budgets and rural issues. Other nominees also spoke and expressed willingness to serve.

The board offered nominees the chance to attend an executive session; supervisors then returned to open session and used a paper-ballot procedure (including an electronic vote for a remote supervisor). After tallying ballots, the board announced Sylvia Allen as the appointee for Legislative District 7 and thanked other candidates for participating.

The board recorded the appointment in the meeting minutes; the county will transmit the appointment to the appropriate state authorities as the next procedural step.