HEADLINE REWIND: Down memory lane with Vince Leach
Years of corruption and far-right votes drag down Leach’s bid for State Senate
Tucson, Ariz. – After being voted out of office in 2022, corrupt politician Vince Leach had a stint as ALEC’s “Southwest Regional Policy Officer.” Now, he’s reaching to get back in power in Legislative District 17. Backpedaling and rebranding as the “common sense” candidate, Leach’s history of bad votes and far-right bills put him at odds with the picture he is painting for voters. Here’s a round-up of some of his worst headlines:
Arizona Daily Star’s Endorsement of Leach’s Opponent in 2018: Star Opinion: Endorsements in Arizona Legislative District 11
October 19, 2018
We endorse Lyon and Atchue because they are impressive candidates, and because we have watched Finchem and Leach operate as two of the most right-wing conservative ideologues in the Legislature, to the detriment of LD11 and the state.
Capitol Media Services: Leach's bill would prevent bans on 'conversion therapy'
By: Howard Fischer
March 25, 2021
The move is being pushed by Sen. Vince Leach, R-Saddlebrooke…
Glen Traasdahl told lawmakers about how he followed that belief about 20 years ago and forced his son into conversion therapy. “My son still suffers from almost 10 years of therapy,” he said, and being told that he was not accepted by the God he believes in. "It was the biggest mistake of my life.''
Tyler Allen, who said he was forced into such therapy at age 14, was more direct. "Conversion therapy destroys us,'' he said. "It is abuse.''
Arizona Republic: Arizonans, health professionals and politicians react to Roe v. Wade abortion ruling
June 25, 2022
Arizonans responded quickly and powerfully to Friday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Americans no longer have a constitutional right to abortion…
Joint statement from Arizona Senate Republicans Karen Fann, Rick Gray, Vince Leach, Sonny Borrelli and David Gowan: "This is a monumental day for our nation… justice is served…”
Arizona Mirror: In a key legislative race, the GOP candidate joked about feeding dogs to Haitians
By: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy
October 4, 2024
... That’s when Leach entered the conversation. “They’d feed ‘em to the Haitians,” he said.
[Cory] McGarr appeared briefly taken aback by the comment, and several audience members were audibly uncomfortable…
Leach’s comments stem from a conspiracy theory that was initially spread by neo-Nazis in the town of Springfield, Ohio, in an attempt to demonize Haitian immigrants in the community.
Read more:
Washington Post: After thousands of Trump supporters rally in D.C., violence erupts when night falls
Leach said at the “Stop the Steal” rally, “It is time that each one of us, no matter where we are from, what corner of the country, go home and fight for Donald J. Trump.”
Arizona Mirror: Two GOP Lawmakers Promote Qanon On Social Media
KTAR: Arizona Democratic Party seeks probe into alleged GOP gerrymandering
State Affairs: LD17 candidate Leach aims to return to the legislature on far right platform
Arizona Republic: Son of former Ducey cabinet member could receive $1.5M state contract