Monday, January 23rd, 2006...9:21 am
Dude, Just Clean Out Your Office. We’ll Help You If You Want.
“Slim” noted that I failed to mention anything about Rep. David Burnell Smith. I really meant to, but the entry was just getting too long. Even I have to cut down a little bit once in a while.
The good news that Slim wanted me to write about was there was yet another ruling saying that Smith’s violation of Clean Elections law rendered his election void and he needs to vacate his seat. Well, not vacate his seat since he holds it illegally. He has one more chance for an appeal, to the State Supreme Court. They may not want to hear the case, so his ouster could be de facto and not just de jure by the end of the week.
It is becoming obvious, even to some Republicans, that his continuing to vote as a member of the legislature could put the legitimacy of some legislation in jeopardy. Also, this sort of side-show can’t be good for the image of the Republican caucus.
Smith has vowed in the past to appeal this all the way to the United States Supreme Court. He may just try that, but I wonder if he will be able to stay in office while doing that. State courts have stayed his ouster until the appeals have been exhausted, however it is questionable that they will allow that for federal appeals as well.
I wonder why Smith continues to fight this though, as has been noted here before, Smith has the worst attendance record in the house. Obviosuly, he isn’t too interested in representing his constituents anyway. Maybe he should just step aside for someone that may show up once in a while.
4 Comments
January 23rd, 2006 at 10:37 pm
I just hope he is actually out of there soon. To allow him to last until his term officially expires would clearly defeat the purpose of the clean elections act.
January 24th, 2006 at 8:46 am
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January 24th, 2006 at 8:49 am
Yes…the Maricopa County Supervisors would get three names from Republican activists in his district. So talk that this is some sort of Democratic party coup is ridiculous.
I think though, that the County supes would be apt to appoint someone that is more moderate.
January 24th, 2006 at 9:02 am
This post has been removed by the author.