One of the two Republican directors in Cochise County, Arizona, who had resisted timely certification for the 2022 midterm elections, has now accepted a legal agreement. Supervisor Peggy Judd faced two felony conspiracy charges and interference with an electoral officer but initially pleaded not guilty. However, she switched her plea on Monday to guilty for a misdemeanor related to failing to perform her duties as required by law. According to a statement from Attorney General Chris Mays, Judd “accepted not to turn the election into a canvas as required by law.”
As part of the agreement, Judd will serve a minimum of 90 days on unsupervised probation and is expected to pay a fine up to $500. Although a copy of the judicial agreement hadn’t been made available by Monday morning, the implications of her plea were clearly stated.
“Any attempts to obstruct elections in Arizona will be firmly addressed,” Mays remarked as he announced the deal. He emphasized that recent agreements should reinforce the state’s commitment to upholding the law and safeguarding the integrity of elections in Arizona.
After the plea, Judd expressed that it was a “such a relief” and indicated a desire to move forward. She maintained that she had confidence in the county’s electoral process but postponed certification to address public concerns regarding the voting machinery. While she didn’t boast about her actions, she asserted that she “doesn’t lose sleep,” suggesting that the investigation was politically motivated and aimed at making an example of her.
“She wasted money on me,” Judd stated, adding that certain individuals who pressured her did not support her legal defense.
Judd, along with manager Tom Crosby, had previously voted to delay the certification process. This drew a lawsuit from the Secretary of State’s office, which ultimately led to a court order requiring the immediate certification of the results. Judd altered her decision during a meeting later that same day, but Crosby was absent.
As for Crosby, his case remains unresolved. Mays initiated an investigation after taking office in 2023, leading to indictments against the two supervisors. A trial is anticipated to occur early next year.
