Arizona Representative Austin Smith has decided to withdraw his candidacy for re-election. This decision comes after a signature challenge raised concerns about the authenticity of some signatures on his nominating petition, suggesting that they may have been forged.
In a statement on Thursday morning, he expressed his disbelief at the situation, stating, “It seemed ludicrous because Republicans trying to get on the ballot don’t seek Democrat signatures and would have no reason to forge Democrat signatures since they don’t count.” Despite his initial skepticism, he acknowledged the seriousness of the matter due to the coordinated attack, which included press releases, social media activity, and other signs of a well-organized effort.
“I was repeatedly advised to step back and strategize for the future,” he shared. “While I may be confident in my chances of winning, the outcome could easily be swayed by the opinion of just one judge. It would be a devastating blow if everything unraveled because of someone else’s perception.”
The office of the Arizona Secretary of State, Adrian Fontes, stated that any charges of forgery are automatically forwarded to the Attorney General, Kris Mayes.
The Attorney General’s office spokesperson chose not to provide any comments at this time.
In an email response to The Center Square, a spokesperson from the Attorney General’s office declined to comment on the possibility of any criminal investigations, stating, “The Attorney General’s office does not comment on the potential for any criminal investigations. I will have to decline to comment at this time.”
According to KJZZ, a lawsuit filed by Democratic lawyer Roy Herrera claims that Smith may have personally forged certain signatures.
Smith, a Republican member of the Arizona Freedom Caucus, represents Legislative District 29 in northwest Maricopa County. In addition to his role as a lawmaker, he serves as the senior director of Turning Point Action, a conservative organization affiliated with Turning Point USA that provides direct support to political candidates. Smith has also urged voters in his district to write in James Taylor, an experienced professional in the energy sector, as the write-in candidate to succeed him.
Maricopa County Supervisor Clint Hickman has urged Smith to step down from his position.
In a bold statement, he expressed his firm belief that House Representative Austin Smith should step down without delay. He emphasized that Smith has been deceptive towards the constituents of Legislative District 29 and the entire state regarding election procedures for a significant period of three years. Furthermore, he accused Smith of fabricating information about the signatures he personally gathered to secure his place on the ballot once again.
Lawmaker Smith is not the only one who has come under scrutiny for signature challenges. According to The Center Square, House Democratic Whip Melody Hernandez withdrew from her campaign for state Senate due to a signature challenge.