BREAKING NEWS: Daniel Patterson resigned UPDATED 3:00pm MST 4-11-12

When the Arizona House of Representatives convened in floor session just before 1:40pm, as his first order of business, Speaker Andy Tobin announced that he had accepted the resignation of Tucson Independent Rep. Daniel Patterson. Pursuant to HR2010 which had been introduced today, the House had been expected to vote during this floor session to expel Patterson. The resignation makes a vote moot.

The process of replacing a sitting member of the legislature, which has taken place several times already in 2012, will begin in Legislative District 29 in Tucson, right away.

UPDATE 3pm MST 4-11-12

Patterson's resignation letter states that the Arizona House of Representatives has become a "hostile work environment" and he therefore is no longer able to serve his constituents in the way they deserve.

Sal Baldenegro this afternoon announced his intent to seek appointment to the vacant seat.

Through the grapevine, I've also heard that Malena Barajas, Dr. Laura Elias de la Torre and Tom Prezelski have expressed interest.

No doubt each of the four of them would do a good job. Tom has previously served in the Arizona House and Laura, a medical doctor, has previously been chair of LD29 Democrats.

UPDATE 4:10 pm MST, 4-11-12

Malena tells me she is NOT seeking the seat and that she believes Dr. Laura Elias de la Torre "would make a fine representative."