Mesa Democrats Tap Three Candidates to Fill Eva Burch’s Senate Seat

The Arizona Legislative District 9 Democrats have selected three nominees to fill the Senate seat left vacant by former Sen. Eva Burch, who resigned on March 14. The candidates, Ryan Winkle, Laura Metcalfe, and Kiana Sears, will now await a decision from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on who will be appointed.

Ryan Winkle currently serves as the executive director at the Arizona Fair Housing Center and has a history in politics as a former Mesa City Council member and mayoral candidate. In his nomination speech, he emphasized a “people first” approach, highlighting his commitment to enhancing small businesses and affordable housing. “We want to fill this seat with somebody that’s going to represent people,” Winkle stated, reflecting on the current political climate.

Laura Metcalfe brings a wealth of experience as an adjunct professor and former school administrator. Despite a setback in the recent election for Maricopa County School Superintendent, she actively contributes as a governing board member for the East Valley Institute of Technology. Metcalfe plans to leverage her educational background to address teacher retention and housing issues in Arizona. “I understand the affordability crisis faced by Arizonans right now,” she declared, expressing her support for policies aimed at creating a more affordable educational landscape.

Kiana Sears previously served on the Mesa Public Schools governing board for eight years. Although she lost her recent bid for justice of the peace, she currently works at Arizona State University as the assistant director of Faith Based Outreach and Community Partnerships. Sears articulated her commitment to critical issues such as water rights and clean energy, asserting, “I’m a person who won’t back down.” She also called for a collaborative, policy-driven strategy within the legislature to prevent harmful legislation while advancing beneficial policies.