Disgraced Ex-Democrat Leezah Sun Crushed in Comeback Attempt

Disgraced former lawmaker Leezah Sun’s aspirations to return to the state Capitol were shattered Tuesday, as she was overwhelmingly defeated by fellow Democrat Eva Diaz in a West Valley legislative race.

Diaz, the incumbent in the race, decisively defeated Sun in Tuesday’s primary, capturing nearly three times the number of votes as her opponent.

Initial reports showed Diaz with a commanding 53% lead over Sun, with nearly 4,000 votes separating the two candidates.

Diaz was first elected to the Arizona legislature in 2022, following a successful write-in campaign due to the withdrawal of Diego Espinoza, the sole Democratic candidate. Diaz has since focused on immigrant advocacy, public education, and healthcare. Representing Legislative District 22, encompassing parts of Goodyear, Avondale, and Tolleson, Diaz serves a majority Hispanic, solidly Democratic constituency.

Sun, on the other hand, was elected to represent the same district in the Arizona House of Representatives in 2022. In her first year, she faced an ethics complaint from Democratic Party leaders for allegedly using her office to influence a friend’s child custody battle, intimidating a school superintendent, and threatening to kill a Tolleson city lobbyist by throwing her off a hotel balcony.

Following a monthslong investigation and two hearings, the House Ethics Committee concluded that Sun had violated the legislature’s rule against disorderly conduct. Facing imminent expulsion, Sun resigned just before lawmakers were expected to vote her out of office.

Despite the tarnish on her political career, Sun proceeded with her campaign to represent west Phoenix in the state Senate. However, her constituents responded with a decisive rejection.