Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs is accusing the Republican-controlled legislature of retaliation.
A proposed new bill would take away Hobbs’ ability to defend election lawsuits through the remainder of her term, and would give that power to Attorney General Mark Brnovich, despite her being the state’s chief election officer.
Hobbs told CNN: “It is blatantly unconstitutional, the Legislature is trying to strip me of duties that are assigned in our state’s constitution, and they just cannot do that.”
Hobbs has also been very vocal in her opposition against the controversial Maricopa County ballot audit, run by Senate President Republican Karen Fann, calling it a “sham."
"She has just dug herself in so deep... she has no choice but to defend what they're doing," says Arizona Secy. of State Katie Hobbs on AZ GOP leaders' efforts strip Hobbs of her power.
— Erin Burnett OutFront (@OutFrontCNN) May 27, 2021
"Nobody.... thinks this is anywhere near a gold standard. It can't even be called an audit." pic.twitter.com/bbokFDmbE7