A Democratic lawmaker in Arizona tried to scam a fried chicken banquet worth over $1,500 for free from a mom and pop chain.
Rumors abounded last week after Arizona Senate GOP communications director, Kim Quintero, said in a social media post that an unnamed Democratic lawmaker demanded a restaurant remake a gifted banquet order costing over $1,500.
OVERHEARD AT THE SENATE: An Arizona Democrat tried turning one lobbyist-funded lunch into two. 🍗
A lobbying firm paid for a catered meal that fed over 100 people on Monday. That same evening, the firm told the restaurant the event was a success.
The Democrat lawmaker whined…
— Kim Quintero (@KimQuintero) June 2, 2026
The Arizona Agenda found email records confirming the story — dubbed “Chickengate” — to be true, and with that confirmation the identity of the lawmaker behind the statehouse rumor.
It was Democratic State Sen. Kiana Sears (LD-09) who attempted to have that specially catered order feeding over 100 people in celebration of Route 66’s 100th anniversary remade for an unspecified event on June 27, a Saturday. Not only is that a date when the state senate won’t be in session, but Sears didn’t help coordinate this special anniversary banquet event at the state capitol, nor did she help pay for the food.
A Republican state senator, David Gowan (LD19), coordinated the event with Cornerstone Public Affairs, a bipartisan lobbyist group who paid for the food.
It appears Sears’ conspiring would possibly have put the lobbyist firm on the hook for another $1,500, if the firm hadn’t gotten wind of her covert communications to the restaurant.
The general manager of the Van Buren location of the mom and pop chain, Gus’s Fried Chicken, apologized in an email to the lobbying firm, much to the surprise of the latter who had been satisfied with their order. The restaurant reported that Sears had complained to the restaurant about the quality of the food even though it was not ordered or organized by her. Sears demanded the restaurant remake the entire order for, it appears, a personal event of hers.
“We did have a concern from Kiana Sears,” wrote the general manager in an email to the lobby group. “She called the store and talked to my assistant manager, she stated the chicken was over cooked, dry and not enjoyed by most. She would like the order remade on June 27th at 5:30 pm. I sincerely apologize for the chicken being overdone and we would love a chance to make it right.”
It is unclear what event is scheduled to take place on June 27. Neither Sears’ personal or state profiles indicate any upcoming events taking place on that day.
Sears refused to explain her reasoning for contacting the restaurant and attempting to have a $1,500 banquet remade on another’s dime for what appears to be her personal event. Sears said attention to her scam attempt was a “distraction” to other more “important” issues, like the state budget. We’ve included her full response to The Arizona Agenda below:
“Alright, this is what I will say about that situation: I am aware of the situation and, which, my name is mentioned in that. And where I am with this is, at this time when we have all this important work with the budget, we’re looking at — you know — the issues, I think this is just sort of a distraction. For me, I’m focusing on the results of my district, the things that, facing my community, when we have immigrant populations dealing with what they’re — so I just look toward doing what the voters elected me to do. At this point, I don’t even think it’s important for me to give my attention to commenting further on this. […] As I said, I will not be commenting further on this. I really believe that this is absolutely a distraction and what we should be focusing on is the work of the people, what we need to do as people are in tough times, they’re hurting, there’s a lot of things going on where people can’t afford their rent, they can’t afford housing, they can’t afford food. So that’s what I plan to be focusing on and putting my energy on — so, I won’t be commenting further on this matter.”
As Sears puts it in her biography, she is the “highest-ranking African American officeholder in Arizona and is the only Black member of the Arizona State Senate.” Sears is also co-chair of the Arizona Black Caucus, “where she advances policies rooted in justice, opportunity, and community well-being.” Sears is also a member of the Senate Ethics committee.
Sears was appointed to the state senate last March by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to replace former lawmaker Eva Burch.