By
The Associated Press
PHOENIX - Arizona's newest state legislator took office yesterday.
Virginia Yrun, a former Planned Parenthood official and Democratic party activist, was sworn in to replace Sen. Andy Nichols, a Tucson Democrat who died last week of a heart attack.
Yrun, chosen Monday by the Pima County Board of Supervisors, took in the front of the Senate chamber as she raised her right hand and took the oath of office administered by Maurice Portley, the presiding juvenile judge of Maricopa County Superior Court.
Her new Senate colleagues applauded and she was escorted to her back-row seat - formerly Nichols' but now bearing her name - by Sens. Ramon Valdez and Tim Bee, both of Tucson. She electronically recorded her presence on the Senate's voting board, still displaying Nichols' name.
Yrun did not make any remarks except to introduce her husband, Howard Shore, in the gallery. She had said previously her short-term goals for the remaining days of the 2001 regular session will be to achieve Nichols' legislative agenda.
Nichols was regarded as one of the Legislature's most liberal members. Yrun said her views were closest to his on access to health care, environmental policy and social justice issues.
She has said she planned to run for the seat in 2002.
Others considered for the appointment included Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, former Sen. George Cunningham and Nichols' widow, Ann Nichols.
