/ Modified sep 8, 2021 11:29 a.m.

State Sen. Engel resigns from Legislature to focus on congressional race

Engel is one of a handful of Democrats running in the primary for the Second Congressional District.

360 kirsten engel Democratic State Rep. Kirsten Engel sits for an interview with Arizona 360 on May 22, 2019.
Steve Riggs/AZPM Staff

Tucson state senator Kirsten Engel announced Wednesday that she is resigning her seat in the legislature.

Engel is one of a handful of Democrats running in the primary for the Second Congressional District.

In a written statement Engel said it has been her honor and her privilege to serve in the legislature for the last five years but she wants to concentrate on her congressional campaign.

"Arizona's 2nd Congressional District is an open seat that will be key to maintaining our Democratic House majority in 2022, and this is not an endeavor to be taken lightly," she said. "I know how much work it will take to win this district, and I'm ready to take on that challenge whole-heartedly."

Democratic party officials will send a slate of nominees to the Pima County Board of Supervisors, who will pick Engel’s replacement from the list.

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