CNN
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A state senator indicted in Arizona’s 2020 election corruption scandal and a former state representative who was ousted from office have been elected as Republican national committee members for the Grand Canyon State.
State Sen. Jake Hoffman and former state Rep. Liz Harris were elected to their new positions at the Arizona Republican Party convention over the weekend.
Hoffman was one of 11 people recently indicted in Arizona in a so-called sham elector scheme aimed at overturning Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election.
Harris was indicted in April 2023 for ethics violations stemming from inviting an insurance agent who made baseless allegations against public officials, including Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, to publicly testify before state lawmakers. , was removed from office by the Republican-controlled state House of Representatives. Harris also advocated the QAnon conspiracy theory and baseless theories about the 2020 and 2022 elections, according to local reports.
CNN has reached out to the Arizona Republican Party and the RNC for comment.
“I am humbled and honored to have been selected as Arizona’s next RNC national committee member.” Hoffman said on social media Saturday.
Harris he said on social media on Monday. She said her focus is “on winning elections, with an emphasis on uniting the Republican Party through real and effective election reform.”
Hoffman’s selection comes days after an Arizona grand jury handed down indictments against Trump allies for 2020 election subversion.
As CNN previously reported, Hoffman sent a two-page letter to Vice President Mike Pence on January 5, 2021, asking that Arizona’s electors be decided by state legislators rather than by popular vote. asked to give orders. .
“At this late hour, we request you to urgently and respectfully request clarification from the Arizona Legislature on what they plan to do to delay the certification of Arizona’s election results during the January 6, 2021 joint session of the Legislature. “I hope the electorate is appropriate and accurate,” Hoffman wrote at the time.
In interviews, Mr. Hoffman repeatedly asserted that no electors would be sent because “we are not confident in the outcome of the election,” and called for Democratic electors to be contested if they are sent.
Following news of last week’s indictment, Mr. Hoffman said in a statement that he had “not committed any crime” and added, “I intend to vigorously defend myself and seek justice for this abhorrent political persecution by state authorities.” I look forward to the day when I can prove my worth.” judicial proceedings. ”
The Arizona Republican Party also condemned the indictment. calling it that “A blatant and unprecedented abuse of prosecutorial power.”
Boris Epshteyn is a former White House aide who remains one of President Trump’s closest aides. former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows; Rudy Giuliani and others were indicted, according to people familiar with the investigation.
Trump is not among those indicted in Arizona, but details in the indictment suggest he is “unindicted co-conspirator 1.”
The Arizona Republican Party also passed a resolution at its weekend convention accusing Pence and former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley of “dereliction of duty in refusing to support President Donald J. Trump and defaulting to supporting the Democratic Party.” It was approved.
Pence, who withdrew from the Republican presidential primary in the fall, said last month that he “couldn’t in good conscience support” Trump, who is considered the likely Republican candidate. Haley withdrew from the Republican presidential race after Super Tuesday in March without abandoning her support for the former president. Instead, she sought to “earn” the support of voters who supported her in her primary.
The resolution passed 917-222, according to results posted on the Arizona Republican Party’s website.
This article and heading have been updated with additional information.
