Barbara Leff

Thursday night, twelve Arizona legislators were honored at the annual Governor's Celebration of Innovation awards for their work to help facilitate technology development in Arizona.

The awards, backed primarily by the Arizona Technology Council and presented by Tech Council CEO Steve Zylstra and Jan Lesher, chief of staff to Gov. Janet Napolitano, included the "Tech 10" - ten legislators who were highlighted for their contributions to technology advancement - plus two "Outstanding Legislator" awards to those who were especially influential.

David Funkhouser, a Phoenix attorney and Democratic activist, was unanimously approved by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Wednesday to fill the Legislative District 11 state House seat vacated by Mark DeSimone.

DeSimone resigned at the end of July after being charged with assaulting his wife in a domestic dispute in June. Eric Meyer, who is running for DeSimone's seat as a write-in primary candidate, and Ann Wallack, who is challenging state Sen. Barbara Leff (R-Paradise Valley) for her seat, were also nominated by LD11 precinct committeemen. However, all five supervisors' votes went for Funkhouser.

State Senator Barbara Leff, who represents District 11, has also been floated as a possible Republican candidate for the seat.