Former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers gets sevewas also asked to call a special session of the Legislature in late 2020 to pass a law that would allow the Legislature to replace Arizona’s presidential electors with ones designated by Republican lawmakers.
Mary Jo Pitzl
Arizona Republic
Former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers gets several mentions in the indictment in Fulton County, Georgia, Monday, part of prosecutors’ strategy to show the conspiracy to overturn the 2020 presidential election extended beyond one state’s boundaries.
The 41-count indictment cites four instances in which Bowers was asked by then-President Donald Trump, as well as by Trump intermediaries, to appoint electors other than those chosen by Arizona voters, in an effort to negate Joe Biden’s narrow victory in this state.
The Mesa Republican was also asked to call a special session of the Legislature in late 2020 to pass a law that would allow the Legislature to replace Arizona’s presidential electors with ones designated by Republican lawmakers.
In all instances, Bowers refused, saying such actions would violate the oath he took to uphold the U.S. and Arizona constitutions. His stance blocked efforts to overturn Biden’s victory over Trump and triggered a wave of harassment and protest directed at Bowers.
On Monday evening, Bowers said it was surprising to see his name in the Georgia indictment, which alleges a conspiracy to overturn election results, but said there were no new revelations. He was cited in the federal indictment brought Aug. 2 by special counsel Jack Smith.
He has not been contacted by any investigator in Arizona, Bowers said.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has confirmed she is looking into Arizona Republicans’ scheme to present fake presidential electors to Congress.
Bowers said the continuing legal battles over the 2020 elections has created a sense of uncertainty for him.
“I don’t know in the fog where all this goes,” he said. “It makes your future a little uncertain. You’re a fish on a line.”
