Rep. Luna-Nájera Accused of Sexual Harassment

Arizona State Representative Dr. Elda Luna-Nájera (D-22), who also served as the president of the Tolleson Union High School District Governing Board, remains under scrutiny following allegations of sexual harassment made by the district’s Superintendent, Jeremy Calles. It is unknown whether the legislature will refer this matter to the ethics committee.

In August 2024, Calles filed a formal complaint accusing Luna-Nájera of making unwanted sexual advances towards him from December 2023 to April 2024. Calles claimed that after he rejected these advances, Luna-Nájera retaliated by attempting to have the board terminate his employment.

The Tolleson Union High School District initiated an independent investigation into the matter. In September 2024, the governing board announced its findings, stating that Luna-Nájera and Calles had engaged in a sexual relationship. Given Luna-Nájera’s authoritative position, the board emphasized that the relationship was inappropriate, even if consensual. Furthermore, the report cited evidence suggesting that Luna-Nájera continued to pursue the relationship despite Calles’ attempts to discourage her advances.

Based on the investigation’s conclusions, the governing board voted to reorganize its leadership. Luna-Nájera was removed from her position as board president but continues to serve as a member-at-large. During a September 2024 board meeting, Luna-Nájera disputed the board’s findings, asserting that the relationship was not inappropriate since it was, as the board confirmed, consensual. Superintendent Calles maintains that no consensual relationship occurred and indicated potential legal action in response to the board’s statements that this was a consensual relationship. Calles’ wife stands by his assertions.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appointed Luna-Nájera to replace Rep. Leezah Sun, who resigned amid allegations of wrongdoing. Sun faced an ethics investigation for allegedly threatening to throw a Tolleson lobbyist from a hotel balcony and intervening in a child custody transfer. Despite facing sexual harassment allegations, Luna-Nájera was not investigated by the ethics committee, securing a victory in her Arizona State House race in the November 2024 General Election.

As of January 17, 2025, there have been no official statements regarding a possible ethics investigation by the Arizona legislature into Luna-Nájera’s conduct. In the face of an eerie “radio silence” from fellow legislators, the Arizona Globe requested comments from Ethics Committee Representative Vice-Chair Neal Carter and Luna-Nájera but has yet to receive responses.

Littleton Elementary School Board members Marcus Ceniceros and Rachel Barnett wrote a letter requesting Luna-Nájera resign from the school board and the state legislature. Littleton is a feeder district to Tolleson High School.

For Immediate Release: My colleague Rachel Barnett and I are calling on Dr. Elda Luna Najera to resign from the Tolleson Union High School District Governing Board and the Arizona House of Representatives. This follows the emotional and troubling accusations brought against her. pic.twitter.com/UI8m5cdJSB

— Markus Ceniceros (@Markus4az) August 13, 2024

The Arizona state legislature has limited authority to punish lawmakers for conduct outside the scope of their official duties. However, mechanisms are in place to address behavior deemed inappropriate or damaging to the legislature’s integrity.

Arizona Constitution: Article IV, Part 2, Section 11 of the Arizona Constitution allows each house of the legislature to “punish its members for disorderly behavior” and expel a member with a two-thirds vote. This provision is broad and does not explicitly limit punishment to conduct within legislative duties.

Each chamber adopts rules that govern its members’ conduct. These rules may include provisions addressing ethical standards and behavior that reflect poorly on the legislature, even those occurring outside official duties. Lawmakers in Arizona and other states have faced discipline for actions like DUIs, harassment, or other criminal activities, even if those actions occurred outside their official duties.

Punishment could include censure, reprimand, or expulsion.