Former Democratic State Rep. Leezah Sun entering 2026 AZ gubernatorial race

PHOENIX — Former Democratic Arizona Rep. Leezah Sun, who resigned in January 2024 after facing House expulsion on three accusations, announced Monday on social media that she is entering the 2026 state gubernatorial race as an independent.

Sun was elected in November 2022 to serve District 22. She resigned before her first term was up on Jan. 31, 2024, while facing accusations from the Arizona House Ethics Committee for “a pattern of inappropriate behavior,” including threatening to push a Tolleson lobbyist off a balcony.

Elda Luna-Nájera assumed her vacant position in March 2024.

According to Axios reporter Jeremy Duda, Sun filed “a statement of interest” to not run within the Arizona Independent Party but with “no party preference.” Last election cycle, Duda said those wishing to run under this label needed 42,303 signatures to successfully get on a ballot.

Sun on Instagram said she is running “to lower costs, protect public schools and restore power to the working class of Arizona.” The daughter of Chinese refugees also referred to the state as her “home.”

The former state representative leaned on her successful attacks on “corporate greed in the Legislature” when making the announcement.

“This fight is not about party labels, it’s about who our government works for,” Sun said. “I choose integrity over silence. I choose people over politics.”

Sun was elected to the Tolleson Unified School District Board in 2024 despite facing House expulsion because, she said, “they knew who I was fighting for.”

“This campaign is not about left or right. It is about right and wrong,” Sun added in her closing statements.

Leezah Sun enters already contentious 2026 gubernatorial race

Incumbent Gov. Katie Hobbs recently joined KTAR News’ Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos to highlight some of the legislation she passed in 2025 and also referred to the Republican primary as “a race to the bottom.”

U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs and David Schweikert and 2022 GOP primary runner-up Karrin Taylor Robson are among those Hobbs targeted with her comment.

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