The chairwoman of the Arizona Democratic Party is stepping down from her post because she will no longer be eligible to hold the position.

Alexis Tameron has served as party chairwoman since January 2015, and has helped recruit and retain Democrats, raise money and shape the party's platform in Arizona and nationally. She was overwhelmingly re-elected to the post earlier this year.

Her departure is tied to the sale of her home: She is moving from her current legislative district, and therefore will be abandoning her seat as a precinct committee person and state committee member in Legislative District 26. According to the party's bylaws, she said in an email to party activists, she will no longer be eligible to remain chairwoman.

Bill Roe, the party's immediate past chairman and current first vice chair, will become acting chairman of the party until Democrats call a special election to elect a new chair. The election would likely take place in January.

Asked if she backs any particular Democrat to succeed her, Tameron said, "Obviously, I know Felecia (Rotellini). I know her dedication to the party. I think she wold be a great chair who would lead us into an election year and I would say I'm glad she is willing to step up and do it."

Rotellini, a Phoenix attorney, told The Arizona Republic she is launching her campaign Friday to run for the state chair. She said she is spending the day calling grassroots leaders and activists, donors and elected officials to make her pitch. She was a candidate for attorney general in 2014 and 2010. She previously served as superintendent of the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions, formerly known as the state Banking Department.

"I would lead the party by building coalitions, by capturing the energy that is in the streets right now so we can build a robust, 15-county strategy to win elections," she said. "We can do that by organizing, inspiring and leading all of the diverse and passionate Democrats that live across Arizona. I think the rest will fall in place for a very successful 2018."

Steven Slugocki, chairman of the Maricopa County Democratic Party, told the newspaper Friday he, too, is interested in leading Democrats statewide.

"I'm seriously considering it and will talk to members of the party and see what they want to see out of the state chair," he said.

Rotellini said she and Slugocki are getting together Saturday to discuss their futures.

Tameron said she is proud of her tenure, noting, "We've done some great things to get the party up and running in a way that is going to be effective for the elections to come."

MORE ARIZONA POLITICS:

Mother-son team running for Arizona Legislature — and the son is House Speaker

Paul Gosar ends Facebook blocks; family feud erupts over Vice comments

Roberts: Gosar's brother to Rep. Gosar: Have the decency to apologize to Soros