A judge is allowing a Mesa woman to remain on the ballot in the recall election of Senate President Russell Pearce. That, despite ruling the candidacy of Olivia Cortes is an orchestrated attempt by the East Valley Tea Party to keep Pearce in office. From Phoenix, KJZZ’s Paul Atkinson reports.
Ryan told told Capitol Media Services that he’s still hoping to prove the fraud charges are serious enough to warrant removing Cortes from the ballot.
“There are a lot of people that read, saw, listened and were upset and offended and have come forth with evidence that we didn't have even as of last Thursday," Ryan says. "This isn't over.
Cortes did not return a call for comment. Pearce has maintained he’s never met her. Candidate Jerry Lewis says he’s still focused on giving voters an alternative to Pearce.
“They can have the same as it’s been," says Lewis." "Or they can have somebody that will listen to them and seek real solutions to real issues and bring honor to our office and our city.”
Early voting in the recall election begins next week.