PHOENIX (AP) — A leader of the conservative group Turning Point Action resigned from the organization Thursday and dropped his bid for reelection to the Arizona House of Representatives after he was accused of forging signatures on his nominating petitions.
Republican state Rep. Austin Smith has in the past promoted disproven allegations of election fraud.
A complaint filed by a Democratic activist in Smith’s district says several petition sheets contain signatures “that appear to have been written by the same person” and says “many of those signatures bear a striking resemblance to Smith’s.” It includes affidavits from two voters whose names were included in Smith’s petition but say they never signed.
Smith cast the allegations as a coordinated attack by Democrats that was “silly on its face,” but said he would drop out to avoid racking up legal bills.
Kansas GOP congressman Jake LaTurner is not running again, citing family reasons
Rustle these up with Rosemary: My traditional steak and kidney pie
San Bernardino police arrest teen for murder of 14
FIRST LOOK: As Laura Ashley relaunches, how does it stack up against its vintage heyday?
Saints enter the NFL draft with questions along the offensive line
Tibetan political leader ‘optimistic’ about passage of US bill on Tibet — Radio Free Asia
Space X: Rocket set to slam into moon wrongly blamed on Elon Musk
A former Maldives president is freed after a high court throws out his 11
Succession's Brian Cox stars in an American stage epic... but at three