ARIZONA NEWS

Kari Lake loses appeals court challenge for 2022 Arizona gubernatorial race

Jun 12, 2024, 6:15 PM

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 06: Arizona republican U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake looks on as former U...

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 06: Arizona republican U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake looks on as former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Turning Point PAC town hall at Dream City Church on June 06, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. Former U.S. President Donald Trump delivered remarks and took questions from the audience during a 'chase the vote' town hall. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

PHOENIX (AP) — Republican Kari Lake has lost an Arizona appeals court challenge arguing that thousands of Phoenix-area mail ballot signatures were not properly verified when she lost the 2022 governor election to Democrat Katie Hobbs.

The state Court of Appeals upheld on Tuesday a judge’s finding last year that Lake failed to prove inconsistencies in signatures were neglected by election verification staffers in Maricopa County, home to more than 60% of voters in the state.

Lake’s attorney, Bryan James Blehm, did not respond Wednesday to telephone and email messages about the appeals court decision and whether Lake would appeal to the Arizona Supreme Court.

Blehm also did not respond to requests for comment about sanctions imposed on him last Friday by the State Bar of Arizona for “unequivocally false” representations to the state Supreme Court while handling Lake election challenges. His 60-day suspension takes effect July 7.

Lake is a former television news anchor now running for U.S. Senate. She is considered the GOP frontrunner ahead of the July 30 party primary to face Democratic U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego in November for the seat currently held by independent Kyrsten Sinema, who is not seeking a second term.

Lake has been among the most vocal of GOP candidates promoting former President Donald Trump’s false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.

Lake has lost several court challenges after refusing to acknowledge she lost the 2022 governor election to Hobbs by more than 17,000 votes.

Presiding Appeals Court Judge Sean Brearcliffe noted in Tuesday’s ruling that Lake argued more than 8,000 ballots were “maliciously misconfigured to cause a tabulator rejection” and were not counted.

Even if all 8,000 of the allegedly uncounted votes had been for Lake, Brearcliffe wrote, it would not have overcome the 17,000-vote differential between Lake and Hobbs.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona News

Election Day lawsuit expected to be resolved before 7 p.m....

Serena O'Sullivan

Judge rules to extend hours of polling places in Apache County after voting issues cause disruption

The Navajo Nation won its Election Day lawsuit, which means several polling locations in Apache County will now be open until 9 p.m.

54 minutes ago

Falcon Field...

KTAR.com

Plane crashes near Falcon Field in Mesa, striking vehicle

A plane crashed near Falcon Field and hit a vehicle in Mesa on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

1 hour ago

Election Day bomb threats...

Serena O'Sullivan

Bomb threats that may have come from Russia target 4 Arizona polling locations

Four polling locations in Navajo County were targeted by Election Day bomb threats from Russian email domains, according to the FBI.

4 hours ago

...

KTAR Video

Video: LIVE: Election Day Coverage 2024 with KTAR News’ Chris & Joe Show

LIVE: Election Day 2024 coverage with KTAR News’ Chris & Joe Show

6 hours ago

A Silver Alert was issued for Timothy Roberts on Nov. 5, 2024....

KTAR.com

Silver Alert issued for missing Phoenix man with cognitive condition

Authorities issued a Silver Alert on Tuesday for a missing Phoenix man who suffers from a cognitive condition.

7 hours ago

Shooting involving police in Phoenix...

KTAR.com

Suspect ‘down’ after shooting involving police in central Phoenix

A suspect was "down" after a midday shooting involving police in central Phoenix on Tuesday, authorities said.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Morris Hall

West Hunsaker, through Morris Hall, supports Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona

KTAR’s Community Spotlight this month focuses on Morris Hall and its commitment to supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona.

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Leading the Way in HVAC and Plumbing Services in Arizona

Tempe, AZ – Since its inception in 1985, Collins Comfort Masters has been a cornerstone in the HVAC and plumbing industry in Phoenix and the surrounding Valley.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

It wouldn’t hurt to get your AC checked after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

A well-maintained air conditioning unit is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat in Arizona.

Kari Lake loses appeals court challenge for 2022 Arizona gubernatorial race