Green Party Candidates Sue Arizona Clean Elections Commission Over Funding Threats

Green Party contenders Risa Lombardo for governor and DuWayne Collier for secretary of state have filed a lawsuit against the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission and its executive director Tom Collins, asserting the agency threatened to force them out of the race. Collins had earlier labeled the pair “sham candidates” after a report cited six voters who allegedly signed fraudulent petitions, and announced plans to seek repayment of the $2.8 million and $739,000 they obtained through Clean Elections funding.

The candidates maintain that the secretary of state had already certified their signatures and that the commission cannot retroactively overturn that certification. They further contend that the commission’s actions have left them unable to spend public funds while also barred from raising private contributions, effectively paralyzing their campaigns. The commission’s investigation report is scheduled for release on Oct. 29, just days before the general election. Without a court order, Lombardo and Collier say they must suspend their campaigns under threat of massive repayment demands.