Northland Pioneer College President Jeanne Swarthout has announced she is running for the Arizona House of Representatives.
Swarthout, a Democrat, is vying for a seat in the newly redrawn legislative District 6, which is currently represented by Republicans Brenda Barton and Chester Crandell.
“This was a really difficult decision, but I just felt I couldn’t stand by anymore and watch what is happening with education. I had to do something,” Swarthout said of putting her hat in the ring.
During her campaign, Swarthout will not be stepping down from her role as president of NPC, which covers the largest geographic area of Arizona’s 10 community colleges.
If Swarthout prevails during the primary election in August, she will be up against Barton, now of Payson, and Crandell of Heber. Barton moved last fall from Safford to Payson, since the new legislative district boundaries split Safford from its former lumping with Mogollon Rim communities, relegating it to the new District 14.
According to the Secretary of State’s office, candidates will formally file their petitions to run for office from April 30 through May 30.
District 6 takes in portions of Navajo, Coconino, Yavapai and Gila counties, and encompasses Holbrook, Woodruff, Snowflake, Taylor, Show Low, Joseph City, Heber-Overgaard, Payson, Flagstaff, Sedona and Williams, among other communities.
