Lorenzo “Renz” Lewis Jennings

General Information

Renz L. Jennings
Male
August 5, 1899
Taylor, Navajo Co., AZ, USA
February 11, 1983
Phoenix, Maricopa Co., AZ, USA

Legislative Resolution

View Legislative Resolution File for Lorenzo “Renz” Lewis Jennings

Biographical Information

Rep. Renz L. Jennings' resignation was noted December 28, 1931 and he was replaced by Rose F. Godfrey as Representative for Maricopa District 15 (Journal of the 10th Legislature, 1st Special Session, House Journal, 1931-1932, pp. 9-11).

The following is from the Legislative death resolution:

The Honorable Renz L. Jennings passed away at the age of eighty-three on February 11, 1983 in the City of Phoenix.

Mr. Jennings was a native of Arizona.  He was born in Taylor, Arizona on August 5, 1899.  In 1923 he graduated from the University of Arizona where he also attended the law school.  He was admitted to the practice of law in 1926.

Mr. Jennings was elected to serve in the Tenth Arizona Legislature as a Democratic Representative from Maricopa County.  He resigned after the adjournment of the First Regular Session and served one year as Assistant Attorney General.  In 1932 he was elected Maricopa County Attorney.  Mr. Jennings returned to private practice after one term.

Mr. Jennings began his judicial career in 1949 when he was appointed by the Governor to serve as a Maricopa County Superior Court Judge.  He served as a Superior Court Judge for twelve years.  In 1960 he was elected to serve on the Arizona Supreme Court.  He served as a Justice for four years.

After his service on the Supreme Court, Mr. Jennings ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate and then started a Phoenix law firm.  Mr. Jennings remained active in Arizona politics and issues of national importance during the late 1960's and early 1970's.

Mr. Jennings was widely known in Arizona and contributed much to the legal and political development of our state.

Military Experience

U.S. Army, World War I veteran:  "He served in the army during the World war."  (from clipping attached to Arizona Legislative Biography sheet)

Additional Information

LEGISLATIVE FAMILY (Yellow Sheet Report (Arizona Capitol Times), May 25, 2011):  father of Rep. Renz D. Jennings

Employment

Occupation Title Years
Agriculture/Farming/Ranching farmer
Lawyer/Judicial attorney
Lawyer/Judicial assistant Arizona Attorney General 1931 - 1932
Lawyer/Judicial Maricopa County Attorney 1932
Lawyer/Judicial judge, Maricopa County Superior Court 1949
Lawyer/Judicial justice, Arizona Supreme Court 1960 - 1964

Arizona Legislative Service

Session Chamber Party District City County Office Notes
10th Legislature, Regular House Democrat Maricopa-15 - (1931-66 House) Phoenix Maricopa
10th Legislature, 1st Special House Democrat Maricopa-15 - (1931-66 House) Phoenix Maricopa

Sources

Birth: Arizona Legislative Biography sheet for "Renz L. Jennings", parents:  Cyrus M. and Hannah (Hanson) Jennings, other names based on:  WWI draft card:  "Lorenzo Jennings" and 1930 federal AZ census: Lewis Jennings; Death: Legislative death resolution, SSDI: Feb 1983 – “Renz” Jennings and obituary:  The Arizona Republic, February 12, 1983; Occupation(s): WWI draft card and Legislative death resolution; Military Service: newspaper article attached to Arizona Legislative Biography sheet