Ex-Lawmaker Leezah Sun’s Comeback Bid Crushed in Arizona Capitol Race

Disgraced former lawmaker Leezah Sun’s aspirations for a legislative comeback were crushed on Tuesday when Eva Diaz, the incumbent Democrat, decisively defeated her in a primary race in West Valley.

Diaz secured an overwhelming victory, capturing nearly three times the votes compared to Sun in a stark rejection of the scandal-embroiled former representative.

Initial results revealed Diaz holding a commanding lead, with a 53% advantage over Sun. Nearly 4,000 votes separated the two candidates.

Elected to the Arizona legislature in 2022, Diaz initially gained her position through a successful write-in campaign after Diego Espinoza, the sole Democratic candidate, withdrew. Diaz’s tenure has been marked by her commitment to immigrant advocacy, public education, and healthcare, reflecting the priorities of her predominantly Hispanic and staunchly Democratic district, which includes parts of Goodyear, Avondale, and Tolleson.

Sun, concurrently elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2022, faced immediate controversy. Accusations surfaced that she misused her office to interfere in a friend’s child custody case, intimidated a school superintendent, and threatened to kill a Tolleson city lobbyist. These actions led to an ethics complaint from Democratic Party leaders.

Following a prolonged investigation and two hearings, during which Sun neither apologized nor admitted guilt, the House Ethics Committee found her guilty of disorderly conduct. Facing imminent expulsion, Sun chose to resign just before a floor session where bipartisan lawmakers were expected to vote her out.

Despite her tarnished reputation, Sun pressed forward with her campaign for the state Senate, only to be decisively rejected by voters in her district.