Arizona State Rep. Leezah Sun Resigns Amidst Ethics Committee Findings

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
01/02/2024 20h25

In a shocking turn of events, State Representative Leezah Sun has resigned from the Arizona Legislature following the release of the findings from the Arizona House Ethics Committee. The committee discovered that Sun had violated chamber rules by engaging in a "pattern of inappropriate behavior."

The announcement of Sun's resignation was made by House Democratic leaders, who expressed their gratitude to the Ethics Committee for their diligent and transparent work. They also commended the witnesses who came forward to share their stories despite the challenging circumstances.

The investigation into Sun's alleged misconduct was initiated after House Minority Leader Lupe Contreras, Sun's seatmate in District 22, filed a formal ethics complaint on November 2. The committee conducted two evidentiary hearings with testimony from witnesses and subsequently found that Sun had engaged in a pattern of inappropriate behavior while acting in her official capacity as a state representative, a violation of House Rule 1.

According to the 12-page committee report released on Tuesday, it is now up to the full House to determine the appropriate disciplinary action against Sun. Expulsion, the most severe possible action, would require a two-thirds vote from the 60 members of the House. However, before that decision could be made, Sun resigned just prior to Wednesday's House session.

The House Democratic leadership acknowledged the solemnity of the situation but also applauded Sun for making the decision that they believe is in the best interest of the state and the integrity of the legislative body.

The resignation of State Representative Leezah Sun sends shockwaves through the Arizona Legislature, leaving a void to be filled in District 22. The coming days will see the process of selecting a replacement unfold, with the hope of restoring trust and maintaining the reputation of the House.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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