(The Center Square) – Two more Democratic lawmakers stepped down on Wednesday in the Arizona House of Representatives.
Rep. Leezah Sun, D-Phoenix, stepped down before facing either a censure or expulsion vote on the floor. The ethics committee released a report outlining disorderly behavior including expressing that she wanted to throw a city of Tolleson employee off a balcony with the intention of killing her.
“Our Democratic leadership team is grateful to the Ethics Committee for its diligent, intensive and transparent work on this report, and to the witnesses who came forward to share their stories under incredibly difficult circumstances,” House Democratic Leadership, who filed the complaint against her in November, said in a statement.
“The facts are overwhelmingly clear and speak for themselves. Representative Sun engaged in a pattern of disorderly behavior that damaged the reputation of the House. This is a solemn day, but Representative Sun did what’s best for our state and for the integrity of this body,” the Democrats added.
After her resignation, Rep. Amish Shah, D-Phoenix, also announced he’s stepping down effective Thursday to focus on his Democratic primary bid in Arizona’s First Congressional District, which is currently held by Republican Rep. David Schweikert.
“Over the last five years, it has been an honor to serve in this place with all of you,” Shah said in his speech. “I cherish the friendships and the relationships I’ve developed with each and every one of you.”
Shah is not the only House member to pursue a bid for Congress. Speaker Ben Toma is seeking the Republican nomination in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District to succeed Rep. Debbie Lesko, but he has not announced a plans to step down from his role.
The resignations leave four current vacancies in the House for the Democrats, the minority caucus, but one will be filled soon by nonprofit leader Jevin Hodge, who was appointed to fill the seat left open by former Rep. Athena Salman in December to take a job advocating for a proposed abortion access ballot measure.
Former Rep. Jennifer Longdon, D-Phoenix, stepped down earlier in January to take a new position as Chief External Affairs Officer for the Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers.
