Senator Eva Burch of Mesa Steps Down, Citing Pay and Productivity Woes

Senator Eva Burch, a Democrat from Mesa, has announced her resignation from the Arizona Senate. She cited concerns regarding legislative pay and her capacity to effect change as part of the minority party as driving forces behind her decision.

Burch represented Legislative District 9, which encompasses a significant portion of west Mesa and part of Tempe. She was elected in 2022 and reelected just last November, defeating Republican candidate Robert Scantlebury on both occasions.

Her resignation marks the first for this legislative session, with her final day scheduled for March 14.

Throughout her campaign, Burch focused on enhancing healthcare access and affordability, even gaining national recognition for advocating against Arizona’s 1864 abortion ban. She has openly shared her personal experiences related to reproductive health, including a non-viable pregnancy and her decision to seek an abortion.

Burch also championed increased funding for public education, affordable housing initiatives, and measures to cap enrollment in the Empowerment Scholarship Account program.

In her resignation statement, Burch reflected on her collaborative efforts to improve healthcare, enhance fire district funding, and promote housing affordability and public education. However, she expressed doubts about her ability to achieve meaningful progress on the issues she is passionate about in her current role.

“In the minority, it’s incredibly challenging to have your bills heard or even considered, and I believe I can be more effective working on these issues outside of the Senate,” she stated.

Burch also highlighted low legislator salaries as a significant concern, advocating for better compensation to attract qualified individuals to public service. As a nurse practitioner, she emphasized the struggle to balance legislative duties with family obligations due to financial constraints.

Recognizing the competitiveness of her district, Burch is aware of the potential challenges for maintaining a Democratic seat but trusts that a strong candidate will step forward.

“I am confident that there are capable individuals in LD 9 ready to take on this role,” she remarked.

While Burch does not have immediate plans post-resignation, she has not dismissed the possibility of future political endeavors. She intends to explore various opportunities outside of politics while reflecting on her experiences.

“Arizona has not seen the last of me. There’s still work to be done, and I plan to be involved,” she concluded.