The two leading contenders to the GOP nomination for Arizona secretary-of-state are both members the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). This council certifies election results and oversees elections in Arizona.ALEC), a right-wing corporate lobby group that backs voter suppression legislation. And one of the two has fully embraced former President Donald Trump’s big lie that the 2020 election was stolen and received his endorsement.
Arizona’s presidential election was close, with Biden winning by 10,457 votes, and even a controversial sham audit initiated by ALEC’s president elect, Sen. Karen FannRecent news confirmedThe election result was unconfirmed.
Trump’s preferred candidate, state Rep. Mark Finchem, nonetheless believes the election was stolen, attended the Jan. 6 rally in Washington, D.C., that led to Trump supporters’ deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and has called for the 2020 presidential election to be decertified.
Trump endorses Finchem through a news release said, “In addition to his incredibly powerful stance on the massive Voter Fraud that took place in the 2020 Presidential Election Scam, he is strong on Crime, Borders, our currently under siege Second Amendment, and loves our Military and our Vets.”
Finchem is among three Arizona legislators speakingAt a QAnon conference held in Las Vegas, Oct. 22-25. Rural Arizona Action, a democracy reform group, led a campaign to recall Finchem in the summer. The campaign was based on Finchem’s ties to the insurrection. fell shortOf the 24,775 required signatures to make the ballot.
ALEC is also available for Shawnna Bolick who is the state rep. member. The Phoenix Republican co-chairs ALEC’s secretive elections working group, which is responsible for developing policy on voter suppression or gerrymandering.
Bolick sponsored some radical legislation in Arizona this year. overturn presidential election resultsThe bill can choose its own voters. The bill HB 2720, is still pending at the House Rules Committee.
Her husband, Clint Bolick, was vice-president for litigation at The Goldwater InstituteA member of the right-wing State Policy NetworkBefore being appointed by Gov. Doug Ducey.
The Democratic primary for secretary-of-state is being held by Adrian Fontes, Maricopa County Recorder, and Reginald Bolding, State Rep.
The candidates have not yet filed any campaign finance reports for next year’s Secretary of State election.
Finchem has been a state representative in the past. contributionsThe PACs of utility Pinnacle West as well as the Arizona Association of Realtors, mining conglomerate Freeport-McMoran-Raytheon, Pfizer and Gov. Ducey’s Arizona Leadership Fund and many other donors
Bolick has raised significant amounts from individuals and corporations in her previous campaigns. moneyFrom the PACs of Arizona Free Enterprise Club. Pinnacle West. Freeport McMoran. Southwest Gas.
Finchem and Bolick both sponsored Arizona’s bill HB 2905The bill, signed by the governor July 5, makes it a Class5 felony for a county supervisor to deliver an early ballot to someone who didn’t request it. The bill exempts mailing a ballot to a person on the county’s active early voting list.
A Class 5 felony is punishable by a presumptive sentence up to two years. It is commonly used in prosecutions of those who profit from the prostitution of others.
