Arizona GOP House speaker on election decertification bill: 'Unconstitutional, unwise'

Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers criticized state Rep. Mark Finchem's legislation to decertify the 2020 general election results in three counties on Monday, highlighting a split among the chamber's Republicans.

In a statement Monday, Bowers blasted Finchem's bill, which was cosponsored by 10 state House representatives and three state senators, the Arizona Republic reported.

"Mr. Finchem's obviously unconstitutional and profoundly unwise proposal will receive all of the consideration it deserves," Bowers said.

Finchem introduced a bill on Monday calling for the state Legislature to decertify the 2020 general election results in the counties of Maricopa, Pima and Yuma, where, he said, "the margin of error exceeds the margin of victory."

President Joe Biden was declared the winner in both Maricopa and Pima Counties, whereas former President Donald Trump was declared the winner in Yuma County.

"If we are a nation governed by the 'rule of law,' as we so often espouse, then violations of the law must have consequences," said Finchem, who has been endorsed by Trump for Arizona secretary of state. "In that regard, the 2020 General Election is irredeemably compromised, and it is impossible to name a clear winner of the contest."

Finchem tweeted Tuesday morning, "For those bashing the decertification resolution: It is impossible to fully read the resolution I submitted, with cosponsorship of several of my colleagues, & not be convicted that the elections were compromised. If they don't see it, I can't help them. (1/2)"

State Sen. Wendy Rogers, who cosponsored the bill, and state GOP Chairwoman Dr. Kelli Ward both retweeted Finchem's response.

Trump sent out a statement through his Save America PAC announcing Finchem's bill, exclaiming, "Big news in Arizona!"

Bowers' reaction to Finchem's bill follows his decision last week to assign to all 12 House committees Rep. John Fillmore's legislation that would sharply limit early or absentee voting and require the state Legislature to convene in a special session for the review of primary and general election results. Assigning the bill to all of the House committees effectively ensures that it will not be passed, according to the Arizona Republic.