The Daniel Patterson soap opera is over

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

ICYMI, the Daniel Patterson soap opera is over. The Pima County Board of Supervisors on Monday seelcted a Democrat independent to fill the unexpired term of Rep. Patterson. Fontana to fill Patterson vacancy:

Attorney Nicholas Fontana will replace former state Rep. Daniel Patterson, who resigned earlier this month.

Fontana said he was honored to be chosen and vowed to get up to speed on the state's budget as soon as possible. He's hoping to help restore funding for public schools and universities.

He said he does not intend to run for election when his term ends in January 2013, calling himself a caretaker.

"I have no political ambitions," Fontana said. "I can focus on the work of the district. I don't have to worry about being re-elected."

Fontana, 47, switched from Democrat to independent to apply for the job. He lives in the district, as required by state law.

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Being a lawyer and having worked in the office of former Democratic U.S. Rep. Morris Udall made Fontana the best choice given the short duration of the term, said Supervisor Sharon Bronson.

"His background, his experience made him a standout," Bronson said afterward. "All were good choices, but at this point we don't have time for on-the-job training."

Fontana was a staff assistant working on constituent services under Udall from 1986 to 1989.

Seems like a solid choice to me, certainly an improvement over the drama LD 29 comnstituents have had to endure this year.