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.

"I am honored that the Supervisors chose me for this vacancy," Funkhouser said in a statement put out by the Arizona Democratic Party. "In these tough economic times, it's important that we have leaders who want to safeguard the investments we've made in education and public safety while simultaneously balancing our books. I'll work hard to diligently represent all constituents in District 11 and I pledge to be available to them from day  one. I especially look forward to the ways I can help Governor Napolitano move Arizona forward."

Funkhouser, in addition to being a commercial litigation attorney at the law firm Quarles & Brady, has volunteered on the re-election campaign of Gov. Janet Napolitano and the primary campaign of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).