In what appears to be the darkest period (2022) before dawn (2024) for the Arizona Republican Party, Mark Finchem has emerged, apparently eyeing a run for Maricopa County Registrar.
No, seriously.
Finchem — denounced the ill effects of early voting (don’t mind having voted early for years) and sued over last year’s secretary of state election being “stolen” (lost in a landslide) Whoever stops thieves–is toying with the idea of running for the county’s top election.
It turns out that this Oro Valley “electoral integrity” advocate moved to Oro Valley at least six months ago. Until recently, however, he served as district commissioner for Pima County.
He is currently considering running to “clean up” the voter rolls in Maricopa County. This is to remove old records and eliminate fraud.
Oh, ironically.
Finchem wants to re-intervene in elections
Finchem, one of the state’s most vocal and longest-serving leaders of Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steel” force, won elections last year in one of the country’s key battleground states. I wanted to loudly break into the Secretary of State’s office so I could oversee it.
In response, Arizona voters elected Democrat Adrian Fontes. Routing.
Finchem (understandably) claimed fraud losses and also lost the inevitable lawsuit challenging the outcome (which the judge said was “unfounded”), so he is now the top election post in Maricopa County. seems to be aiming at
he recently Requested packet for recorder raceFrowning considering I’ve lived in Pima County for many years.
But reporter Dillon Rosenblatt tracks public records and writes about it. Fourth Estate 48 Newsletter, according to reports Finchem lived in central Phoenix Condo since at least January.
He registered to vote at that address on January 20.
The primaries could be a disaster for the Republican Party
But I do note that he didn’t step down as Pima County Republican precinct board member until last week, nearly six months after moving to Maricopa County.
I scream, “It’s a scam!” But in reality sometimes life intervenes and there is no real master plot to operate the system.
A more interesting question is whether Finchem will attempt to thrash out Maricopa County Registrar Stephen Richer, one of the Far Right’s favorite whipping boys.
Finchem didn’t answer questions about his intentions, but the prospect of him in the race should give Democrats high fives and Republicans groans.
In the January 6th survey:How Arizona Played a Key Role
It is doubtful that the Democrats will be able to defeat Mr. Richer, a conservative Republican who is highly regarded among those who deal with facts and evidence.
But what about Finchem? They will be happy to face election naysayers who think there is a conspiracy behind every cactus and enemies all around them, even within their own party.
Perhaps Richer should run as an independent
The problem for Republicans will be the same in 2018, 2020, and 2022.
Simply put, the far-right candidate they nominated cannot win county or statewide elections. That’s why Democrats now hold both Senate seats and key statewide posts.
It will be difficult to beat Richer in November, but first he has to get through the Republican primary in August.
We will see this same scenario play out at races in other counties next year as Team MAGA hunts for the Republican incumbent — an incumbent who can actually win races.
The solution seems obvious to Richer and perhaps others.
Forget Finchem and his mule.
I am running as an independent candidate.
To contact Roberts, laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. follow her on her twitter @ Laurie Roberts.
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