Special to Independent Newsmedia

Representative Phil Lovas (R-22) today released the following statement regarding his decision to resign from the Arizona House of Representatives in order to serve as the Region IX Advocate for the U.S. Small Business Administration:

“It's been an honor to represent Legislative District 22 in the Arizona House of Representatives these past five years,” said Representative Lovas.

“The state was presented with a series of serious challenges this last half decade as we weathered the recession, yet we confronted those challenges head-on and have continued to make Arizona a great place to do business and raise a family.

“I am resigning my position in the Arizona House effective Monday, April 17. I have been selected as the Regional Advocate in Region IX for the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy. I will be based in Phoenix and work throughout Arizona, Nevada, California, Hawaii, and Guam. I look forward to working with small business owners in Arizona and throughout the region to advocate on behalf of their concerns.

“First and foremost, I’d like to thank my family for their patience, understanding, and sacrifice. I would like to thank Governors Brewer and Ducey for their leadership during my time in office and my colleagues in the legislature for their tireless efforts to make Arizona the best place to live and work in America. I also want to thank those who have helped and continue to help me throughout my tenure at the Legislature and in my new role, particularly Treasurer Jeff DeWit. I would especially like to thank the constituents of LD22 for their support.”

View the section of the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding governing legislative vacancies: http://www.azleg.gov/ars/41/01202.htm.

Editor's note: District 22 covers areas including Sun City West and portions of Surprise, Peoria, Glendale and Sun City.