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An Arizona Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Republican attorney general candidate Abe Hamadeh and the Republican National Committee.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Randall Warner ruled the lawsuit had been filed prematurely and that since the state has not yet certified the results from the Nov. 8 election, the “results” could not yet be challenged in court.
“It is undisputed that the canvass and declaration of results for the November 2022 election have not occurred,” Murray wrote, according to The Hill. “Under these statutes there can be no election contest until after the canvass and declaration of results because, until then, no one is ‘declared elected.’ It is undisputed that the canvass and declaration of results for the November 2022 election have not occurred.”
Hamadeh is trailing his Democratic opponent by roughly 510 votes out of more than 2.5 million ballots ahead of an automatic recount.
Erica Knight, a spokeswoman for Hamadeh, said he will refile the case after the statewide canvass.
“The merits of the lawsuit still stand,” Knight said.
Election officials in one Arizona county are facing legal action after refusing to certify the results of the Nov. 8 election.
What makes the case more interesting, though, is the plaintiff: Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, the Democratic candidate for governor who has been declared the winner over GOP challenger Kari Lake.
“Cochise County had a statutory duty to certify the results of the 2022 General Election by today. My office has filed a lawsuit to ensure all voters have their votes [count],” Hobbs tweeted on Monday.
Lake has not conceded the election to Hobbs, and her campaign account took exception to the legal tactic.
“This is an egregious abuse of power but when has that ever stopped you before?” the account noted in response to Hobbs’ tweet.
This is an egregious abuse of power but when has that ever stopped you before?
— Kari Lake War Room (@KariLakeWarRoom) November 29, 2022
As for Lake, she was spotted last week at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida just a few days after he declared his candidacy for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, fueling speculation she may be considered for his running mate.
When Lake entered a lunch that was being hosted by America First Policy Institute, she received a standing ovation. She also delivered brief remarks about the Arizona race and what might happen next.
“Lake was frequently discussed as a potential vice-presidential pick for Trump, although she maintained on the campaign trail that she intended to serve a full term as governor if elected. Now that she’s been defeated for state office, her political path is less clear,” the Post noted.
Republicans on social media were happy to see Lake and Trump together at the event.
One Twitter user posted a picture of Trump and Lake together with the caption, “Trump, Kari Lake, Bolsonaro – let’s go.”
Trump, Kari Lake, Bolsonaro – let’s go pic.twitter.com/1q5VHPApoC
— Kingsley Cortes (@KingsleyCortes) November 18, 2022
“@KariLake if worse comes to worse, Kari Lake will be available to campaign full-time for Vice President of the United States 2024,” another user posted.
“Such a special night at Mar-a-Lago with an amazing group of supporters and everyone’s favorite President. Thank you, President Trump for your incredible support and endorsement. We love you!” Lake herself tweeted along with several photos.
Such a special night at Mar-a-Lago with an amazing group of supporters and everyone’s favorite President.
Thank you, President Trump for your incredible support and endorsement.
We love you! pic.twitter.com/DJg31jGGAB— Kari Lake (@KariLake) November 14, 2021
Soon after the gubernatorial race was called, Lake responded on Twitter by saying: “Arizonans know BS when they see it.”
The suit names Stephen Richer, who is the Maricopa County recorder, and other officials and was filed in Arizona Superior Court. The suit seeks prompt release of certain information regarding how the elections were administered, “which featured widespread issues in the state’s largest county,” The Epoch Times reported.