The Maricopa County board of supervisors recently appointed Geraldine Peten to the Arizona House of Representatives Legislative District 4 seat.

The board unanimously voted to appoint Peten to fill the seat, which was vacated in July due to Rep. Jesus Rubalcava’s resignation.

District 5 Supervisor Steve Gallardo said Peten’s experience made her stand out among other qualified candidates to fill the seat.

“The Board was presented with well-qualified candidates,” Gallardo, whose supervisorial district includes portions of the Legislative District 4, said in a statement. “Dr. Peten’s proven leadership abilities and experience will allow her to represent the varied needs of the residents in this geographically large legislative district.”  

Peten, who holds a doctor of education degree and two master’s degrees, has served as an educational consultant. She has also worked as a school superintendent and administrator.

“Her experience will help her get educated about the issues before the Legislature is back in session,” District 4 Supervisor Clint Hickman, whose district also includes parts of Legislative District 4, said in a press release.  “The legislative district spans urban and rural areas across multiple counties, and she’ll certainly need to think about the needs of all the residents.”