Arizona State Senator Eva Burch, a Democrat from Mesa, has announced her resignation from the legislature. Her last day in office will be March 14. Burch cited financial struggles and the challenge of balancing her job as a lawmaker with her work as a healthcare provider as the main reasons for stepping down.
She highlighted the low pay for Arizona legislators as a major issue, saying that many working-class citizens cannot afford to serve in public office. Burch expressed hope that in the future, lawmakers would earn a living wage so that people from all backgrounds could represent their communities without financial hardship.
Burch gained national attention nearly a year ago when she shared a deeply personal story on the Senate floor. She revealed that her pregnancy was not viable and that she was planning to have an abortion. As a former nurse practitioner at a women’s health clinic, she wanted to shed light on how Arizona’s abortion laws affected real people. She criticized the state’s abortion restrictions, calling them outdated and harmful to women’s healthcare choices.
Her speech came at a crucial time. The Arizona Supreme Court was considering whether to enforce a Civil War-era abortion ban. Although the court initially ruled that the ban could take effect, the state legislature later repealed the law before it was enforced.
In November, Arizona voters took action to protect reproductive rights by passing a constitutional amendment. This amendment guarantees the right to abortion up until fetal viability, which is typically around 21 weeks of pregnancy.
Burch’s resignation highlights the ongoing debate over fair pay for legislators and the challenges faced by working-class politicians. Despite stepping down, she remains hopeful that future lawmakers will push for change, ensuring that all Arizonans have a voice in their government.
