• Gloria Torres was convicted in Arizona of ballot abuse dating back to 2020
• Last month, she was confirmed by the city council as deputy mayor.
• The decision has many in the community questioning local corruption.

A local politician convicted of voter fraud was appointed vice mayor of San Luis, Arizona, at last month's City Council meeting.

Democrat Gloria Torres was appointed to her new post in December, just six months after pleading guilty to conspiracy and ballot abuse charges dating back to the controversial 2020 election.

of serious election charges A two-year investigation by the state Attorney General's Office and the Yuma County Sheriff's Office produced evidence that Torres and others engaged in illegal vote harvesting during the July 2020 primary election.

Hidden video surveillance footage submitted by two vigilant Yuma residents leads to the convictions of Torres, Nadia Guadalupe Lizarraga-Mayorquin, former San Luis Mayor Guillermina Fuentes and Alma Yadira Juarez. This was important evidence.

Torres was ultimately sentenced to two years of supervised probation, but she shockingly chose to remain in local government, a decision that highlights problems of corruption in local government. became.

Despite her criminal history, Torres' appointment was formally proposed by outgoing Vice Mayor Luis Cabrera, and the proposal was accepted by a narrow 4-3 City Council vote.

Garcia Snyder, a candidate for Arizona House of Representatives in Arizona's 25th Congressional District, which includes Yuma, said he is “outraged and disappointed that a convicted ballot abuser has been elevated to this leadership position.” he said.

“The fact that the majority of the council appears to have so little regard for our laws is an insult to our residents, especially the Latino community. I’m tired of Democrats showing off to my face.”

He suggested that Torres' retention in power shows the “corrupt grip” Democrats maintain over the Latino community.

“Advancing a convicted ballot harvester should be a wake-up call to the Hispanic community in San Luis and surrounding areas,” he said.

“We are tired of these evils and low standards. My fellow Latinos are migrating toward conservatives like me who have high standards and share our values ​​and language. “I'm watching,” he continued, adding in Spanish:

“Save your family, your money, your opportunities, and most importantly, the American Dream. Vote for the Conservative Party, “The Real Party of Hispanics.”

Mr. Torres has long been a controversial figure in local politics. Since she was first elected to the San Luis City Council, questions have been raised about her competency and ethics.

In May 2020, a performance audit by the Arizona State Comptroller's Office found that Arizona District 32, where Torres served as director at the time, “did not pay (local elementary school) staff for time they did not work. It was also found that the company had “wasted $65,000 on unnecessary work.” “Travel'' and failed to properly oversee the transportation program.

In 2023, an Arizona congressman pointed out that many of the 32nd District's problems haven't actually been resolved, leading to officials stealing thousands of dollars from local taxpayers.