Throwback Thursday: Vince Leach’s Time as One of the Most Corrupt, Extreme State Legislators.
Darling of special interests Vince Leach will face Democrat John McLean in LD17’s November Election
TUCSON, Ariz. – After being rejected by his own party in 2022, Republican Vince Leach will face Democrat John McLean in the November election after barely earning the support of half his party. During Leach’s time in the legislature, he was one of the most extreme legislators in his party and consistently prioritized special interests over his constituents.
After infamously lobbying to draw himself into a safe Republican district, he was swiftly defeated and earned only 35 percent of the votes cast in the 2022 primary election. As he seeks to hold onto political power, voters should be reminded of this corrupt politician’s extreme record of defunding Arizona schools, fighting to knock people off their health insurance, and being the darling of special interests:
Vince Leach weakened Arizona public schools. He’s part of the reason why Arizona public schools are ranked among the worst funded in the nation.
Leach voted six separate times to shortchange Arizona public school funding to the tune of $1.3 billion.
Leach’s concerted attacks on Arizona's school system have led to ballooning class sizes, teacher turnover that is double the national average, and the end of full-day kindergarten.
Vince Leach was one of the most corrupt lawmakers in the state house. He wrote legislation to hide his donors and dodge accountability.
Leach voted to eliminate the Clean Elections Campaign Finance Program and grow the influence of special interests in our elections.
Leach voted to hide the gifts that lobbyists gave him, and other lawmakers, from the public.
Leach voted to give a sweetheart contract worth $1.5 million to the son of one of Gov. Ducey’s former cabinet members.
Vince Leach voted to ban abortion, worked to repeal the Affordable Care Act in Arizona and reduce healthcare access. Leach is part of the reason why Arizona has one of the highest uninsured rates in the country.
Leach voted eight separate times to restrict abortion.
Leach voted against restoring health care coverage (Kidscare) to as many as 30,000 children.
Leach voted to let insurance companies offer “junk insurance” policies that don’t cover pre-existing conditions and let insurance companies rewrite health insurance plans if you get sick.
Leach voted to gut protections for people with pre-existing health conditions and allow insurance companies to charge as much as they want for life-saving care.
“Vince Leach is exactly the type of politician Arizona voters have rejected time and time again. Leach has a sordid history of working on behalf of special interests – not his constituents,” said ADLCC Chair Priya Sundareshan. “Voters are ready for real leadership from leaders like John McLean. A successful entrepreneur and businessman, McLean is ready to stand up to corrupt career politicians like Leach and stand with Arizona families.”
LD17 was decided by just 2.4 percent of votes in 2022 and is one of the most competitive legislative districts in the state. Leach will face John McLean, a former business owner running to restore reproductive rights, strengthen Arizona public schools, and reduce the cost of living.