Burges Takes State Senate Seat Vacated by Bundgaard

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on MondayselectedArizona Rep. Judy Burges to fill the seat vacated by scandal-plagued Scott Bundgaard in the Arizona Senate from Legislative District 4 in Northwestern Maricopa County. Burges was one of three citizens nominated to the position by District 4 Republican Party precinct committeemen and the only incumbent lawmaker on the list. She was appointed on a unanimous 5-0 vote.Burges, 68, a Sun City West resident, was first elected to the House in 2004. She is chairman of the House Government Committee and serves on the House Transportation Committee. She replaces former state Sen. Scott Bundgaard, who resigned earlier this month. Burges had indicated she will run for the state Senate in 2012."I have known Judy Burges and her husband Robert for many years," commented Max Wilson, chairman of the board of supervisors and in whose supervisorial district the Senate district lies. "She is a veteran legislator and should hit the ground running. She has also been active in the community and in the Republican Party."Burges thanked the board for its vote of confidence and pledged "to work hard to serve our constituents."Burges holds two degrees from the University of Phoenix and has worked for Cyprus Bagdad Copper Company and in Yavapai County government. Her relocation from House to Senate created a ripple effect, and now state Republican officials plan to meet in District 4 to select nominees for Burges's vacant House seat. The time and location will soon be announced by state GOP headquarters.