West Valley Democrats select candidates to replace Leezah Sun in AZ House

By Wayne Schutsky
Published: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 - 11:52am
Updated: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 - 12:03pm

West Valley Democrats met Monday night to nominate three candidates to fill a vacant House seat in Legislative District 22.

Democrats nominated Tolleson Unified High School Board President Elda Luna-Najera, political organizer Natacha Chavez and former state Sen. Martin Quezada to fill the vacancy in the district, which covers parts of Phoenix, Avondale, Tolleson and Goodyear.

One of the three will be chosen by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to replace former Rep. Leezah Sun, who resigned on Jan. 31, minutes before her colleagues were set to vote on a motion to expel her.

Leezah Sun stands behind a podium outdoors at the Arizona state capitol. She is wearing two buttons on her red shirt and her long hair is swept to one side. She is speaking and not looking directly at the camera.
Kirsten Dorman/KJZZ
State Rep. Leezah Sun, a Democrat, spoke to a group at the Arizona Capitol about repealing the state's "right to work" laws on Oct. 25, 2023.

The resignation came after a House ethics panel found Sun violated House rules and abused her position in interactions with lobbyists, city officials and school district officials. 

The Board of Supervisors will meet on Feb. 14 to fill the vacancy in LD22 and a separate vacancy in LD5.

Politics