Charlie Kirk Staffer/AZ State Rep Drops Reelection Bid After Allegations Of Forging Ballot Petition Signatures

Phoenix’s KJZZ reports:

A complaint filed in Maricopa County Superior Court on Monday accuses Rep. Austin Smith (R-Wittman) of forging signatures he needed to gather to qualify for the ballot and run for reelection. The complaint alleges that nine pages of signatures Smith gathered appear to be written by the same person and look like Smith’s own handwriting. And two people whose names and addresses are listed on Smith’s nominating papers signed documents declaring that they never signed his petitions.

According to state law, candidates found guilty of petition forgery are no longer eligible to seek election, or run for any public office for no less than five years. In addition to serving in the Legislature, Smith works as senior director of Turning Point Action, the advocacy wing of Turning Point USA – a national organization focused on engaging conservative young Americans.

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BREAKING GOP State Rep. Austin Smith pulls out of race for House seat after being accused of forging signatures to get on primary ballot. Smith is employed by @TPUSA & is a leading spreader of lies about elections. BACK STORY https://t.co/VCpGBiXOdB https://t.co/8Jfg0beapR

— Brahm Resnik (@brahmresnik) April 18, 2024