Kari Lake, Mark Finchem, and their lawyers aren't doing too well today

From KTAR -

Alan Dershowitz, other lawyers for Kari Lake and Mark Finchem ordered to pay sanctions

Lawyers for Kari Lake and Mark Finchem who filed a lawsuit attempting to ban the use of voting machines prior to the November 2022 election and were found to have “acted at least recklessly,” were ordered to pay $122,000, according to a ruling Friday by Arizona U.S. District Court Judge John Tuchi.

The ruling establishes the monetary award amount to sanctions ordered in December by Tuchi and covers legal costs accrued by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. The ruling also specifically addressed legal arguments put forth by noted attorney Alan Dershowitz, who claimed he was not subject to the sanctions.

I've written about Dershowitz' claims before; I thought they were BS in late May; apparently, a judge agreed with me.

Lake may have known this was coming because she's made noises about keeping the fundraising grift going.

From KGUN9, written by Craig Smith -

Kari Lake in Tucson: "I'm actually eyeing the Senate race. It's something I'm considering."

Former Governor candidate Kari Lake came to Tucson Wednesday to promote her new book. She ran for Arizona Governor in 2022, but Katie Hobbs was declared the winner.

Lake presented several legal challenges to the election outcome in court, though the lawsuits have continued to uphold the certified election results.

[snip]

We asked Lake if she plans to run for U.S. Senate. She says she’s still occupied with her legal challenge to the result of the Governor’s election but is thinking of a run for Senate.

“So we'll be making a decision on that in the next couple of months and we'll see," Lake says. "I'm actually eyeing the Senate race. It's something I'm considering.”

It hasn't been a good month for election denying lawyers.

From AP, dated 7/5 - 

Attorney who challenged Trump’s 2020 loss gives up law license as states weigh disciplining him

Attorney Lin Wood, who filed legal challenges seeking to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss, is relinquishing his law license, electing to retire from practicing rather than face possible disbarment. Multiple states have weighed disciplining him for pushing Trump’s false claims that he defeated Joe Biden.

On Tuesday, Wood asked officials in his home state of Georgia to “retire” his law license in light of “disciplinary proceedings pending against me.” In the request, made in a letter and posted on his Telegram account, Wood acknowledges that he is “prohibited from practicing law in this State and in any other state or jurisdiction and that I may not reapply for admission.”

It's not just Wood.

From CNN, dated 7/7 -

Attorney disciplinary committee recommends Rudy Giuliani be disbarred for 2020 election legal work

An attorney disciplinary committee has recommended Rudy Giuliani be disbarred in Washington, DC, for his efforts on behalf of then-President Donald Trump to overturn the 2020 election results.

The committee, which weighs cases of legal ethics and attorney misconduct in the District of Columbia, issued the report and recommendation on Giuliani on Friday following a lawyer misconduct hearing for Giuliani in December that functioned like a trial.

If Lake's lawyers are looking to supplement their incomes in order to pay for the sanctions, I may recommend looking for a job on Craigslist.

They might want to be on the lookout for scammers, though, and not just the ones they see in the mirror.

Republican Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer sues Republican Kari Lake. She responds with name calling.

She likes whine that she actually won the gubernatorial election in 2022. but every whine is BS.

Still, when confronted by criticism over the effect of what she says, she doubles down on the bad things she says.

From the AZ Mirror, written by Caitlin Sievers, dated 6/22/2023 -

Richer sues Lake for defamation

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer is suing Kari Lake and her campaign for defamation, after enduring a continuous onslaught of vitriol and false claims from her and her followers. 

Richer, a Republican, has been one of Lake’s favorite targets as she continues to claim that the 2022 governor’s race was stolen from her, in the same fashion that she claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen from her political idol, Donald Trump.

 

It seems that her lawyers aren't in control of her social media accounts. 

From Twitter, emphasis added by me -

Lake *has* proven that she has two things in common with Cheeto, her idol:

1. She doesn't take criticism well, even deserved criticism.

2. Every one of her whines is followed up with a money grab/fundraising pitch

Kysten Sinema has some interesting associates supporting her as US Senator

Don't misunderstand me - she may still mount a third party/No Labels run in 2024 for the seat she currently holds, if only to give the seat to the Republicans.  Though I think she may be angling for a slot as Cheeto's VP choice.

From Mother Jones (emphasis added by me)-

No Labels Exposed: Here’s a List of Donors Funding Its Effort To Disrupt the 2024 Race

No Labels, the political outfit preparing to run a “unity” ticket in 2024 that Democratic strategists and Never-Trump Republican operatives fear will siphon votes from President Joe Biden, is what’s known as a dark-money group. Unlike political parties, political action committees, and House, Senate, and presidential candidates, it is not required to reveal who is funding it. And No Labels, which says it intends to raise $70 million to possibly place a third-party candidate on the presidential ballot next year, refuses to disclose who is financing this project. But Mother Jones has obtained a list of 36 wealthy contributors and corporate high-rollers who last year wrote big checks to support No Labels’ effort to win 2024 ballot lines in states across the nation. This roster includes past and present chief executives of major companies, including Loews Corporation (a vast conglomerate), Fluor (an engineering and construction giant), Abry Partners (a private equity firm), SailPoint (a tech firm), and Fortress Investment Group.

Among the No Labels backers are donors who contributed millions of dollars to Republican causes, such as past GOP presidential candidates and super-PACS connected to Republican congressional leadership, and several who have poured money into the Democratic presidential campaigns of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden. One donor provided a big chunk of political cash to Donald Trump. Generally, these No Labels supporters, who mostly made contributions of $5,600 to its 2024 project, appear to favor conservative candidates, though many have played both sides of the aisle, financing Republican and Democratic politicians. 

[snip]

 

Three donors on the list contributed to Trump, but only one, Allan Keen, a successful Florida real estate developer, gave a hefty amount. In the run-up to the 2020 election, Keen donated $135,000 to Trump Victory, a joint-fundraising committee that supported Trump’s reelection. Previously, Keen financially backed the presidential campaigns of George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, McCain, and Romney. More recently, he has donated to Manchin and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who left the Democratic Party in December and became an independent.

At least 16 of the these 36 donors have graced Sinema with money.

I still consider her to be a dark horse candidate to be Cheeto's choice for a running mate.  Kari Lake, Greg Abbott, and others seem to be ahead of her right now.

However, she has a lot in common with Cheeto with many of the same deep-pocketed donors; maybe closer ties to Vlad will put her over the top.

Want to see some violence, real or implied? Visit Miami on Tuesday.

Cheeto is scheduled to arraigned there and then.

However, security there will be increased (the events of January 6th, 2021 are fresh in everyone's mind).

From WSVN in Miami, dated 6/9/2023 -

Stepped-up security in downtown Miami ahead of Trump’s arraignment; former president expected Monday at Trump National Doral

Former President Donald Trump is days away from surrendering in downtown Miami, and that means there will be stepped up security during his arraignment.

All eyes are on South Florida as Trump will be facing charges at the Federal Courthouse.

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In an interview with Fox News Sunday, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said everyone’s safety will be the top priority.

“We want to make sure that all of our citizens know that they’re going to be able to express their First Amendment rights, and at the same time, we’re going to keep them safe, and we’re going to make sure that there is no disorder,” he said.

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“FBI domestic terrorism agents and analysts are actively working to identify any potential threats surrounding that upcoming court appearance,” said Former U.S. intelligence officer Josh Campbell. “They are looking at online platforms that are popular with extremist groups.”

Downtown Miami is expected to mirror New York City when Trump was indicted, with barricades, rooftop security, street closures and sharpshooters.

Of course, Cheeto's followers are spouting off about violence over their Dear Leader's indictment (hence the heightened security), but it's being pushed back on.

From The Guardian (UK) -

Kari Lake’s vow to defend Trump with guns threatens democracy, Democrat says

The Arizona Republican Kari Lake’s vow of armed resistance over Donald Trump’s indictment for retaining classified records “threatens the very core of our democracy”, an Arizonan Democratic congressman said.

Ruben Gallego is running to replace the former Democrat Kyrsten Sinema in the US Senate next year.

He said: “I know this language isn’t just hyperbole – it’s dangerous and it threatens the very core of our democracy.”

My guess (and it's only that) is that Lake still wants to be Cheeto's choice for his ticket's VP slot (hence her violent rhetoric) and this is normally where I would say get out your popcorn.

If you do, though, make sure the popcorn bowl is made out of Kevlar.

Just in case.

Cheeto makes history, and not in a good way: A former POTUS indicted!

From CNN (they have many articles on the topic; this quote is just from the first) -

The latest on the federal indictment of Trump in the documents probe

Trump's attorney confirms former president faces 7-count indictment

Donald Trump's attorney Jim Trusty confirmed Thursday night that the former president has been charged with seven counts – and revealed that the charges “break out from an Espionage Act charge.”

"It does have some language in it that suggests what the seven charges would be. Not 100% clear that all of those are separate charges, but they basically break out from an Espionage Act charge," he told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins.

As could be expected, trumpkins didn't react well to the news.

From Google -

From Twitter -

From Newsweek -

Trump has maintained his innocence, often calling the DOJ probe a "hoax" and a form of "election interference." Several of the former president's political allies also condemned the news of his indictment over Twitter, including Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, who tweeted that it was a "Sad day for America."

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"Democrats must literally shake with sweats when they see amazing packed out Trump 

rallies and overwhelming winning poll numbers week after week," said Georgia 

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who also shared screenshots of Trump's 

reaction on Truth Social. "They must awake in the night with panic at the thoughts of us 

winning in 2024."

Greene also wrote in length about the accusations against Biden's family, whom 

House Republicans have accused of an alleged bribery scheme based off an unclassified 

FBI forum shown to lawmakers on Thursday. Florida Representative Matt Gaetz also 

noted the form, tweeting, "Imagine being naive enough to believe that the Biden Bribe 

evidence and Trump indictment happening the same day was a coincidence."

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Conservative political pundit Charlie Kirk demanded that Trump's opponents 

in the 2024 GOP primary take action and "show solidarity" with the 

former president, or risk being made "part of the opposition."

Of course, with Cheeto, the grift never stops.

From The Hill -

Trump immediately fundraises after saying he was indicted in documents probe

Former President Trump on Thursday swiftly moved toward fundraising efforts after claiming he’s been indicted in connection with the Justice Department’s investigation into his handling of classified documents. 

“We are watching our Republic DIE before our very eyes. The Biden-appointed Special Counsel has INDICTED me in yet another witch hunt regarding documents that I had the RIGHT to declassify as President of the United States,” Trump wrote in an email message asking supporters to donate.

Alan Dershowitz, one of Kari Lake's lawyers, invokes the idiot defense

It's BS.

He may be an alleged predator, but he's not a *stupid* one.

From AZMirror, written by Caitlin Sievers -

Attorneys: Alan Dershowitz should have known better

Alan Dershowitz, the famed civil liberties attorney, is asking not to be sanctioned alongside other attorneys for Kari Lake and Mark Finchem after he signed onto a lawsuit that the judge called a “frivolous complaint.”

Dershowitz claimed during a telephone hearing on Wednesday that he only participated in the case, which aimed to stop Arizona from using any type of electronic voting machines to tally ballots, in a limited capacity and should therefore not be held responsible for the false claims in the suit. 

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But two Arizona attorneys told the Arizona Mirror that because Dershowitz was listed as counsel in the case and signed his name to many of the filings, he was legally just as responsible for its content as the other lawyers who represented Lake and Finchem. 

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Dershowitz made it a point to tell the judge that he doesn’t know either Lake or Finchem personally. 

“I do not like Ms. Lake,” Dershowitz said. “I would never have voted for her.” 

While Dershowitz told the judge on Wednesday that he only consulted on the case as a constitutional law expert and was not involved in any other way, he agreed to be admitted to be an attorney in the case “pro hac vice,” which allows an attorney who isn’t licensed in a state to work on a specific case in that state. 

“Everyone knows those rules, that when you appear in a case, you accept responsibility for the case,” Stirling said. “If he consented to appear in the case, he knows the responsibility he was taking on.”

 

Dershowitz has tried to get out of paying his penalty before this plea.  Guess being one of Cheeto's lackeys isn't so lucrative.

Does Kari Lake drive a car or a whaaaaambulance?

She loses in elections and in court...and then whines about both.

From Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services, published by the Arizona Capitol Times -

Lake says she will appeal judge’s ruling confirming she lost election

Kari Lake said Tuesday she will appeal Monday’s ruling confirming the election of Katie Hobbs as governor, brushing aside the fact that the judge said her key evidence in seeking to overturn the result was legally irrelevant.

In a press conference outside her Phoenix headquarters, Lake said she has been denied the ability to put on a case showing she actually won the race. She said that is because of the rulings about state elections laws from Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter Thompson all the way up through the Arizona Supreme Court about what she needed to prove.

All of them went against her.

Gosar cares about Arizonans? Well, there's a first time for everything*.

* = unless they follow his preferred religion and possess his preferred skin color.

From Twitter -

He tweeted this after he spoke at a gathering of far right-wingers....in Hungary.

From the Arizona Mirror written by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy dated 5/5/2023 -

Arizona Republicans travel to Hungary for far-right conference

At the Hungarian edition of the Conservative Political Action Conference, Arizona is on center stage as U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar and failed gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake will share a stage with the leader of a far-right Austrian party founded by former Nazis. 

The Freedom Party of Austria, or FPÖ, was founded in 1956 by former officers of the Schutzstaffel, or SS, the paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Nazi Germany. The party has staked out far-right policies on immigration, the government and Muslim immigrants. 

Hungary shares a border, on its south, with countries that Gosar probably doesn't care about.

Countries like Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and 

From Google -

Hungary shares a border with a country that our Paul *does* care about.  At least, he tweets and speechifies about it often.  Pretty sure it's not really a threat to Hungary...or the country that has invaded it.  

Also from Google -

Gosar likes to blame Ukraine for Vladimir Putin's invasion of it.

AZBlueMeanie at Blog for Arizona has more on the appearance by Gosar and others here.

Republican says he has PTSD from election denier threats over the 2020 election

Caveat: I'm not a fan of Gates or the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, but I don't wish PTSD on anyone.

From Business Insider -

An Arizona GOP official relentlessly threatened by election deniers after the 2020 presidential race says he has PTSD

A Republican official in Arizona revealed that he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after election deniers targeted him and his family as a result of the 2020 presidential race.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Bill Gates, the current chair of the influential Maricopa County Board of Supervisors — which has jurisdiction over one of the most politically-competitive counties in the United States — spoke of the challenges that he faced as a result of backing the integrity of the countywide vote in 2020.

Kari Lake, a failed AZ gubernatorial candidate and one of AZ's biggest election deniers, diminishes Gates by retweeting thing that deride the WaPo article as a "puff piece."

So who will be Cheeto's running mate in 2024?

Time for some idle speculation.

Current frontrunners:

Kari Lake.   The failed 2022 candidate has traveled the country, serve as Cheeto's surrogate.

    Pluses: Is female and is from a state that Cheeto needs to win in a general election.  Plus she regularly pushes Cheeto's "big lie" and whines almost as he does.

    Negatives: Isn't blonde.  Lost her election.  Won't help in the primary, because Cheeto will win the AZ primary which I expect him to win no matter what.

Greg Abbott.  The current governor of Texas.

    Pluses: Hates people of color and immigrants almost as much as Cheeto.  Wins elections.

    Negatives: Cheeto will win the general election in Texas no matter who's on the ticket with him.

    

Others in the mix :

Kristi Noem, the current governor of South Dakota.  She's as nuts as Cheeto.

Marjorie Taylor Greene.  Currently in Congress.  Makes Noem look sane.

Ron DeSantis, currently Florida's Governor and a presumed presidential candidate in 2024.  He and Cheeto aren't fans of each other, so if this happens, it will be a cynical move by both.

Tommy Tuberville.  Currently in the US Senate.  Cheeto likes to think that he's smarter than others.  In Tuberville's case, that belief might actually be true.

Gym Jordan.  Currently in Congress.  His penchant for looking the other way when facing sexual predators may endear him to Cheeto.

Kyrsten Sinema.  Currently in the US Senate.  A former Democrat who may be as self-centered as Cheeto.

Not gonna happen, either because Cheeto won't have them, or there's no way in hell that they'd take the gig:

Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and any R who voted to impeach him. Mike Pence.

There will be others in the mix as this early speculation.

Well, the first* Republican announces for the R primary in the 2024 race for US Senate

A "colorful" Pinal County sheriff not named Paul Babeu has announced his intent to run for the seat.

Mark Lamb, professional bigot and stone trumper (yes, I'm being redundant there) announced his candidacy today.  He's not the first R in that particular primary, hence the "*", but he's the first recognizable name to form a committee.

His treasurer is Lisa Lisker of Virginia.

Other Rs who may be looking at the race include (some of this speculation I've heard in news reports, some I'm pulling out of my...ear :) ):

Kari Lake, Karrin Taylor Robson, Blake Masters, Doug Ducey, Mark Brnovich, Sal DiCiccio, and for a dark horse candidate, I'll toss out one name, Kyrsten Sinema.  If she becomes a Republican.  My guess is that even they won't accept her.

There will be others, of course, and not all of those listed will actually run, but I'll be surprised if at least two don't do so.

Cheeto indicted! Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Actually, it probably wouldn't happen to a nicer one, either. 

From CNN -

Donald Trump indicted by Manhattan grand jury on more than 30 counts related to business fraud

Donald Trump faces more than 30 counts related to business fraud in an indictment from a Manhattan grand jury, according to two sources familiar with the case – the first time in American history that a current or former president has faced criminal charges.

The indictment has been filed under seal and will be announced in the coming days. The charges are not publicly known at this time. Trump will likely be arraigned in court early next week, according to his defense attorney, Joe Tacopina.

My question is this:  Will he do a perp walk before the arraignment?

Don't worry about our Cheeto, though - his acolytes, including some based in AZ, rushed to defend/protect him.  From NBC -

Trump allies erupt in fury over former president's indictment

Donald Trump’s most fervent Capitol Hill allies erupted in fury Thursday night as news of his indictment rocked the country. They rushed to his defense and blasted New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s prosecution of the GOP presidential front-runner as a political witch hunt designed to influence the 2024 election.

“Outrageous,” tweeted Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who is using his roles as chairman of the Judiciary and Weaponization of the Federal Government committees to investigate Bragg’s work.

Certain folks from Arizona wanted to be sure that they weren't left out of the pro-Cheeto babble.  They took to Twitter.

Short Attention Span Musing

 ...Around a week ago, I came across an article that set me to thinking (always a dangerous thing :) ).

From BusinessInsider, dated February 3, 2023 -

The housing shortage is the root of all of America's problems

The US housing shortage isn't just fueling an affordability crisis. It could be contributing to several of the major problems the country is facing. 

Imagine you're a city-dweller living paycheck-to-paycheck. You're trying to save so you can afford a down payment on a home someday, but there's not much left to stash away after paying rent.

Is it significant?  Yes.

Does it need to be addressed?  Yes.

Is it the "root" of ALL of our problems?  No.

Much like the fact that we have more than one problem, the fact is that there is more than one cause behind those problems.

Abject poverty in the U.S. is also a significant cause, but I think that there is one overarching cause -

Inveterate greed.

...In 2024, is she running for Senate from AZ or Vice President of the U.S.?  Or is she just acting as one of Cheeto's surrogates?

From the Des Moines Register -

'I just want to save America': In Iowa, Kari Lake won't slam door shut on being Trump's VP

Arizona Republican Kari Lake said Saturday she isn’t in Iowa running for president or trying to raise her profile to become vice president — but she didn’t completely shut the door on being Donald Trump’s running mate if he asks.

“I really believe his policies are the ones that can help save this country, truly,” she told the Des Moines Register in an interview. “And so I'm going to do whatever I can. If he wants me to help him in any way, shape or form, I will do that. I will campaign for him. I'll do whatever I need to. But I'm not running for VP. I'm not running for president. I am just running to save America, if there's such a thing. I just want to save America.”

Personally, I believe  that while she hopes to be on a ticket with Cheeto, she'll keep her options open by running in the R primary for Kyrsten Sinema's seat.

...I expect/hope that Thursday will be a VERY bad day for Cheeto.

From CBS -

Judge orders release of parts of Georgia grand jury report on Trump's post-election conduct

A Georgia judge on Monday ordered the release of parts of a special grand jury's report on efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 presidential election, but said that most of the report will remain under wraps for now.

Fulton County Judge Robert McBurney largely ruled against media organizations who sought to make the report public, writing that all but three sections should remain undisclosed until Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' investigation is complete. He said the introduction, conclusion and a section in which the grand jury "discusses its concern that some witnesses may have lied under oath during their testimony" should be released.

The Lake platform can be summed up in one word. That one word? "Wahhh!"

From the Tucson Sentinel -

Kari Lake wants the Arizona Supreme Court to order a new election

But only for her race & only in Maricopa County

Kari Lake still wants a "redo" of the governor's race that she lost by more than 

17,000 votes, even after Katie Hobbs was sworn in as governor Monday.

Lake has called for the Arizona Court of Appeals or the Arizona Supreme 

Court to throw out the results of the governor's race and for a new election 

to be conducted — but only for her race in Maricopa County, according 

to court documents filed late last week.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter Thompson ruled against Lake 

Dec. 24 in her initial election challenge.

AZ political predictions

 This is completely tongue-in-cheek (except for the parts that come true).  And mostly lege-oriented. :)

January -

Governor Katie Hobbs takes her oath of office with a speech filled with words and phrases like "cooperation" and "best interests of Arizona".

The Rs in the AZ legislature, led by House Speaker Ben Toma and Senate President Warren Petersen, respond with only "wanna bet?"

In one of her first acts as governor, Hobbs calls the legislature into a special session to address the aggregate expenditure limit looming over public ed.

The measure fails on a party line vote as the Rs in the legislature are upset it doesn't give more money to vouchers.

Kari Lake sues to overturn the 2022 election results.  She is represented by a reasonably reputable attorney.

Her lawsuit fails.

Kelli Ward is deposed as chair of the AZGOP.  Guess losing an election or two bothers R PCs more than being a party to treason.

February -

There's a riot in a bingo hall in Oro Valley when a caller refuses to award a Bingo designation to someone who doesn't have one.  Mark Finchem says he wasn't there, but photographic evidence says otherwise.

Abe Hamedeh sues again to overturn the 2022 results.

The lawsuit fails.

March - 

Sen. John Kavanagh runs a bill allowing police officers to kill anyone they want for any reason they want.....so long as they don't kill rich people or white trumpkins.

It passes the legislature on a party line vote.  

Governor Hobbs vetoes it.

Cheeto appears at a rally in Cochise County.  It's well attended.  He and his hangers-on inflate the figures anyway.

Kari Lake sues to overturn the 2022 election results.  She is represented by a reasonably astute attorney who waits until the retainer check clears before going forward.

Her lawsuit fails.

April -

Sen. Wendy Rogers runs a bill changing voting eligibility so that only retired Christian Dominionists living in counties with fewer than 500,000 people in them can vote.

It passes the legislature on a party line vote.  Governor Hobbs vetoes it.

With that, Hobbs sets the record for number of measures vetoed by a governor.

Incensed by the veto, Rogers runs a proposal to change the state constitution.  If passed by the voters, it would bar governors from vetoing measures supported by Republicans.

It passes the legislature on a party line vote.

Changing things up, Kari Lake sues to overturn the 2020 election results.  She is represented by a reasonably reputable attorney.

Her lawsuit fails.

May -

The lege has entered it's silly season, aka - hurry up and wait season, aka2 - there's no budget but the lege is still in session.  And their boredom, and contempt for democracy, shows.

Rep. Leo Biasucci runs a bill barring Attorneys General from indicting or charging Republicans.

It passes the legislature on a party line vote.  Governor Hobbs vetoes it

Sen. Sonny Borrelli runs a bill barring Arizona SOS' from certifying any election results that the majority in the lege doesn't like.

It passes the legislature on a party line vote.  Governor Hobbs vetoes it.

Abe Hamedeh sues again.

And fails again.

June -

The lege, in the persons of Toma and Petersen, announces that budget deal has been reached and that it solves the aggregate expenditure limit issue.

By taking all of the state's education funding and giving it to private and charter schools.

And then they adjourn the lege sine die and get out of town before Hobbs, or anyone else, can say anything.

Governor Hobbs addresses that by using her line item veto power and calling back the lege into a special session.

When certain legislators make noises about not returning to Phoenix, Hobbs makes noise about sending DPS officers to retrieve them.

Since being in Phoenix in the summer beats being in a jail cell, the recalcitrant legislators return.

July -

And the parade begins.

One of the downsides of Arizona becoming a battleground state will be incessant trips by famous (and not-so-famous) Republicans looking for the 2024 nomination for President (and if Joe Biden gives any indication that he's not running for re-election, it'll be Democrats, too).  2024 will start in 2023 here.

August -

The Biden Administration announces the release of a vaccine for cancer that's 99% effective, one that will be named after Anthony Fauci.

Rs and other anti-vaxxers denounce the vaccine as an unscientific plot by Big Brother to control their lives and proudly refuse to take it.

Cheeto tells them to drink Laetrile-laced Kool-Aid, and it will cure the cancer,.  He'll claim that it's more effective than hydroxychloroquine.

But first, they should send him some money

Cheeto's followers die in droves, but he gets wealthier.

September -

Kari Lake sues to overturn the 2022 election results.  She is represented by an attorney who obtained a law degree from a crane game in a convenience store.

Her lawsuit fails.

October -

Kelli Ward announces her candidacy for the U.S Senate seat that will be on AZ's ballot in 2024.

She wants the support of crazies and others of Cheeto's rubes to coalesce around her.

November -

Cheeto makes another appearance, this time in Mohave County. This one is sparsely attended.

The next day, he cries "Fraud!" and ends his candidacy.

December -

The Rs in the legislature, in preparation for an election year session in 2024, sharpen their pitchforks and pour kerosene on their stakes...errr..."prepare their book bans and anti-LBGTQ legislation".

Kari Lake sues to overturn the 2022 election results.  She is represented by an attorney who obtained a law degree from Trump University.

Her lawsuit fails.