Mark Finchem recall, Arizona House of Representatives (2021)

2021 Mark Finchem recall:; Arizona House of Representatives
	Recall status
	Did not go to a vote
	Table of contents
	Recall supporters; Recall opponents; Election history; Path to the ballot
	See also
	External links; Footnotes

Two efforts to recall Mark Finchem, a member of the Republican Party, from his elected position representing District 11 in the Arizona House of Representatives were launched in 2021. Supporters of both recalls had to collect 24,775 signatures to require a recall election.

According to the AZ Mirror, the group behind the recall efforts ended their campaign to recall Finchem in mid-June after they determined they wouldn't be able to collect the required signatures by the July 8 deadline.^[1]

The first recall effort started on March 4, 2021. Signatures for the recall were due July 2, 2021.
The second recall effort began on March 10, 2021. Signatures for the recall were due July 8, 2021.

The recall efforts accused Finchem of spreading voter fraud conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential race as well as his involvement in the January 6 breach on the U.S. Capitol. Finchem admits that he attended the "Stop the Steal" rally that preceded the breach on the U.S. Capitol but denies that he participated in the violence.^[2] Eighty-two ethics complaints were filed against Finchem for his involvement in the breach on the U.S. Capitol but all of them were dismissed by the state House Ethics Committee and its Chairwoman Becky Nutt (R).^[3]

Finchem was elected to the state House in 2014. He was re-elected in 2020 with 34.4% of the vote.

Recall supporters

First recall effort

The first recall effort was organized by a group called Rural Arizonans for Accountability. The recall petition was filed with the Arizona Secretary of State’s office on March 4, 2021, by Jim Hill and Julia Gusse.^[4] The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

“	State Representative Mark Finchem played a role in the January 6th attacks on our nation's Capitol. His ties to domestic terrorist organizations and his continued attempts to spread conspiracy theories threaten the safety of Americans and do not represent the people of District 11. The residents of Legislative District 11 deserve a representative who will advocate for our communities and faithfully discharge their responsibilities, and State Representative Mark Finchem has failed to do so. He has failed to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Arizona, and bear true faith and allegiance to the same and defend them against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his office.^[5]	”
—Mark Finchem Recall Petition Language^[4]

Second recall effort

The second recall effort was organized by a group called Rural Arizonans for Accountability. The recall petition was filed with the Arizona Secretary of State’s office on March 10, 2021, by Jim Hill and Julia Gusse.^[6] The petition listed the following reasons for recall:

“	State Representative Mark W. Finchem played a role in the January 6, 2021 attacks on our nation’s Capitol. He has ties to domestic terrorist organizations and has repeatedly attempted to spread conspiracy theories, both of which threaten the safety of Americans and do not represent the people of Legislative District 11. The residents of Legislative District 11 deserve a representative who will advocate for our communities and faithfully discharge their responsibilities; State Representative Mark W. Finchem has failed to do so. He has failed to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Arizona. He has failed to bear true faith and allegiance to the same and defend them against all enemies, foreign and domestic. He has failed to faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his office.^[5]	”
—Mark Finchem Recall Petition Language^[6]

Recall opponents

In May 2021, Finchem sent a cease and desist order to the campaign running the recall effort. He has threatened to sue the group for defamation. According to the Recall Finchem website, the order "demands Rural Arizonans for Accountability destroy all campaign materials Finchem incorrectly deems 'defamatory' and publish retractions in local newspapers. If not, Finchem's lawyers promise to sue."^[7]^[8]

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing recall in Arizona

A recall can be filed against any public officer on any grounds. The recall may not be filed until after the elected official has been in office in his or her first term for at least six months. This six-month limit does not apply to state legislators. In the case of state legislators, a recall petition may commence five days after the start of their first legislative session after their election. In the case of other elected officials, there is no six-month limit for subsequent terms in office.^[9]

A recall petition must be filed at the office in which the officer being recalled files for nomination. The petition must contain a general statement explaining the recall, and it may not exceed 200 words. This petition must be signed by the sponsors who swear an oath that all signatures collected will be valid signatures.

The number of signatures required to qualify a recall attempt for the ballot is 25 percent of the number of votes cast in the last election for that office.

If enough signatures are gathered, a recall election will be held. All qualified candidates can run against the incumbent. Whoever gets the most votes wins the office. If the incumbent wins he/she remains in office and no other recall can take place during that term unless the proponents pay the cost of the prior recall election.

Election history

2020

General election

General election for Arizona House of Representatives District 11 (2 seats)

Incumbent Bret Roberts and incumbent Mark Finchem defeated Felipe Perez and Wade Murphy in the general election for Arizona House of Representatives District 11 on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Bret Roberts (R)	34.7	68,805
✔	Mark Finchem (R)	34.4	68,101
	Felipe Perez (D)	30.9	61,245
	Wade Murphy (R) (Write-in)	0.0	42

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 198,193
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 11 (2 seats)

Felipe Perez advanced from the Democratic primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 11 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Felipe Perez	100.0	24,875

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 24,875
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 11 (2 seats)

Incumbent Mark Finchem and incumbent Bret Roberts advanced from the Republican primary for Arizona House of Representatives District 11 on August 4, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Mark Finchem	53.7	25,762
✔	Bret Roberts	46.3	22,205

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 47,967
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