Republicans move to limit power of Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs

The move comes during the Republican-backed audit of the 2020 election in Maricopa County.

Published: May 26, 2021 7:58am

Updated: May 26, 2021 12:17pm

Republican lawmakers in Arizona moved to limit the powers of Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs amid the GOP-led state Senate audit of the 2020 election.

The Arizona House and Senate appropriations committees narrowly passed a bill Tuesday that would strip Hobbs of her ability to defend election lawsuits, giving that power to Attorney General Mark Brnovich.

The bill would make clear Brnovich has "sole authority" to defend Arizona election laws, procedures and lawsuits. 

Hobbs called the bill "partisan politics" and an "attempt to prevent me from doing the job Arizona voters elected me to do," according to The Epoch Times.

The bill still needs to pass the full legislature and be signed by GOP Gov. Doug Ducey to become law. 

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Unlock unlimited access

  • No Ads Within Stories
  • No Autoplay Videos
  • VIP access to exclusive Just the News newsmaker events hosted by John Solomon and his team.
  • Support the investigative reporting and honest news presentation you've come to enjoy from Just the News.
  • Just the News Spotlight

    Support Just the News