Arizona State Representative Austin Smith, a prominent figure in the conservative group Turning Point Action, announced his resignation from the organization and withdrawal from the reelection race for the Arizona House of Representatives. This decision comes in the wake of accusations that Smith forged signatures on his nominating petitions.
Smith, who has previously espoused unproven claims of election fraud, faced a complaint filed by a Democratic activist in his district. The complaint alleged that several petition sheets contained signatures that appeared to be written by the same individual, with many bearing a resemblance to Smith's handwriting. Affidavits from two voters whose names were included in Smith's petition stated that they had not signed the documents.
While Smith dismissed the allegations as a politically motivated attack by Democrats, he opted to step down to avoid potential legal repercussions. In a statement shared on social media, Smith expressed concern that a judge could rule against him based on the accusations, leading to a loss in the election.
As a senior director of Turning Point Action, the campaign arm of Turning Point USA, Smith's resignation was confirmed by a spokesperson for the group. Turning Point USA has emerged as a significant player in Arizona Republican politics and is actively seeking to expand its influence nationally.
Smith's departure from the race leaves the Republican Party with only one candidate for two House seats in a secure Republican legislative district in the Phoenix suburbs. He encouraged voters to write in the name of another Republican candidate from the district to ensure party representation.
