Judge dismisses Finchem’s election lawsuit, rules Fontes as Arizona secretary of state

[plist name=”elections”][/plist]

PHOENIX — An Arizona judge dismissed with prejudice Republican Mark Finchem’s election lawsuit, ruling Democrat Adrian Fontes as the state’s secretary of state.

The lawsuit claimed wrongdoing in the 2022 election and that the results were wrong due to Katie Hobbs’ inability to step away from her position as secretary of state while running for governor.

“After an oral argument this afternoon, (a judge) found the election lawsuit was baseless, not well read in Arizona law and in fact the attorney did not seem to understand parts of Arizona law and civil procedure,” KTAR News legal analyst Barry Markson said.

BREAKING: @RealMarkFinchem lawsuit is dismissed with prejudice. Judge affirms @Adrian_Fontes election as Secretary Of State. pic.twitter.com/gpGvhh34wp

— The AZ – abc15 – Data Guru (@Garrett_Archer) December 17, 2022

Finchem sought the results of his election be thrown out and that the election is re-voted on and counted by hand. The Democrat had 52.8% of the votes when the race was called — a 128,561 vote lead.

The Republican candidate filed the lawsuit on Tuesday, a similar suit that Republican Kari Lake is expected to hear the results of on Dec. 19.

Because the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled and the judge will entertain motions for sanctions against the plaintiffs.

The results from the judge ultimately mean Fontes will take power as Arizona secretary of state on Jan. 2.

Related

What's in the future for the Republican Party after the 2022 election?Live updates for Arizona’s 2026 midterm primaries: County website glitchMain roadway between Maricopa and metro Phoenix reopens after fatal incidentArizona voters to choose Republican and Democratic nominees for top education positionRetired Gilbert fire captain honored after dying from job-related cancerStorms make way into Valley with strong winds, scattered showers causing power outages