Democrats are accusing Republican state Sen. Wendy Rogers of breaking a state law barring the use of state resources to influence an election.
At issue is a letter Rogers (R-Flagstaff) wrote endorsing Cottonwood Councilwoman Lisa Duvernay for reelection. The letter, according to a photo Rogers posted on social media, was printed on official state Senate letterhead.
In a letter to Attorney General Kris Mayes, Democratic Senate leadership alleged the letter violates A.R.S 16-192. That law states, “this state and special taxing districts and any public agency, department, board, commission, committee, council or authority shall not spend or use public resources to influence an election.”
“Posting such an endorsement of an individual running for a City Council using Senate letterhead and the State Seal violates both the letter and the spirit of the law,” wrote Sens. Mitzi Epstein, Juan Mendez, Eva Burch and Lela Alston. “Therefore, we ask you to investigate Senator Roger's actions whereby she or state personnel composed this letter and then distributed it via social media and any other mediums by which it was sent.”
Rogers said she wasn’t aware that was a problem.
“As soon as I found out that it was, I corrected the mistake,” she said in a statement. She has since deleted the post.
