KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2025 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

State GOP Chair: Bitter Smith Should Look At Resigning

The chair of the Arizona Republican Party said Corporation Commission Chair Susan Bitter Smith should look at stepping down. That comes in light of Monday’s announcement from Attorney General Mark Brnovich calling for the state’s high court to remove her from office. 

Brnovich's message was clear and forceful — Bitter Smith has violated state conflict of interest laws and is ineligible to hold office. His petition to the Arizona Supreme Court cites the commissioner’s lobbying ties to companies like Cox, which also have affiliates she regulates. The move, in a sense, pits Republican versus Republican.

Robert Graham, chair of the state GOP, and says he’s spoken with Bitter Smith about her options and what’s best for the party.

“There hasn’t been a defined, 'hey you need to resign,' but I will say that I did stress that she needs to strongly consider it,” said Graham.

So far, Bitter Smith has indicated she plans to keep her positon as regulator and cable lobbyist and fight the case in the state Supreme Court. A statement from her Monday suggested Democrats are to blame for the allegations against her.

Meanwhile, Brnovich said his office still has an open criminal case related to Bitter Smith, but did not elaborate.

RELATED: Embattled Corporation Commissioner's Conflict Of Interest May Extend To Broadband

Will Stone was a senior field correspondent at KJZZ from 2015 to 2019.