Arizona Home Democratic Chief Cano Leaving for Harvard

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Home Democratic Chief Andrés Cano introduced Saturday he intends to resign when the present legislative session ends so he can start pursuit of a graduate diploma this summer time on the Harvard Kennedy College.

The third-term lawmaker who represents a lot of the Tucson space stated in a press release that his acceptance to the varsity’s Mid-Profession Grasp in Public Administration program in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a “once-in-a-lifetime” probability.

“As a first-generation faculty graduate, by no means did I feel a possibility like this could come my method,” Cano stated. “Put merely: I wish to do extra for the individuals of Arizona and our nation — and I wish to be ready for my subsequent chapter in public service.”

This system begins in July.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors will select a substitute to finish his two-year time period.

Cano, 31, was first elected in 2018 and once more in 2020 and 2022. The Home Democratic Caucus picked him to be minority chief final yr.

The Legislature is anticipated to wrap up its work within the coming weeks. Votes on the state price range are scheduled to start Tuesday.

Cano stated Saturday that he’s dedicated to “seeing the state price range course of transfer ahead till the very finish.”

He additionally plans to step down in June from his position as director of the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund, an initiative of the Group Basis for Southern Arizona.

From 2012 to 2019, Cano served as coverage advisor to the late Richard Elias, former chairman of the Pima County Board of Supervisors.

Present Board Chair Adelita Grijalva and Supervisor Sharon Bronson issued a press release congratulating Cano on his acceptance to the Harvard program after a “meteoric rise” to Democratic chief that started when he secured a county internship at 14.

“Andrés has understood since he was a toddler that the ability of presidency will be greatest used to offer alternative and guarantee equity,” Grijalva stated. “He’s a power of nature and Harvard higher prepare; a whirlwind of optimistic power is about to blow into Cambridge.”

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