Colleen Connor, director of the Citizens Clean Elections Commission, a state agency that administers the Citizens Clean Elections Act, has submitted her resignation.

Ms. Connor, who has served as the executive director for six years, said she wanted to pursue challenges outside of government, according to a June 2 press release from the commission.

Ms. Connor’s last day is June 17. Before becoming the executive director of the commission, she spent three years as an assistant attorney general in the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

“We have withstood controversy and constitutional challenges together and I am proud of our accomplishments. Our hard work together has made Arizona a model for other states pursuing Clean Elections initiatives themselves,” Ms. Connor said in a letter to the commission.

Eric Gorsegner, deputy director at the commission, will serve as interim executive director during the hiring process.

The Citizens Clean Elections Act was passed by voters in 1998 and created a campaign financing system that provides public funding to candidates. Candidates for statewide and legislative offices are eligible to participate in the public funding program.

To qualify for funding, participating candidates must adhere to spending and contribution limits and gather $5 qualifying contributions from district constituents who are registered voters. Participating candidates also agree to attend required debates. —