Judge kicks independent candidate off ballot for Arizona state senate

PHOENIX — An Arizona judge booted an independent candidate off the state Senate ballot because most of the signatures he submitted were invalid.

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled Friday that only 493 of the 2,158 signatures submitted by Dr. Mark Syms were valid. Syms needed 1,250 valid signatures to get his name on the ballot for the District 28 Senate seat.

“The conclusion that signatures did not match voter records is corroborated by other evidence which strongly suggests that the signature collectors forged or somehow otherwise engaged in fraudulent practices,” Judge Christopher Coury’s ruling said.

The court based its findings, in part, on a Maricopa County Recorder’s Office review.

Among the evidence, the plaintiff’s representation said the signature of state Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s mother was forged.

The plaintiff in the lawsuit was Robert McGee, husband of Kate Brophy McGee. Brophy McGee is the Republican incumbent for the Senate seat in question.

Syms is married to Maria Syms, a state representative from the same district, which covers parts of central and north-central Phoenix and Paradise Valley.

Mark Syms is founder of the Arizona Hearing Center.

Follow @KTAR923