Backers of a measure to tax the rich for public education called Judge Christopher Coury’s decision to strike it from the ballot “politically motivated” and are calling for his removal in November’s retention election.

On the eve of Arizona GOP Chairman Jonathan Lines’ re-election bid, two failed GOP candidates sued him for defamation.

The “blue wave” appears to have missed Arizona. Democrats not only failed to make significant strides at the statewide level but also remain the minority party in both the state House and Senate.

Likening Mark Syms to an ostrich with its head stuck in the sand, a judge ruled that the failed Arizona state Senate candidate must pay attorneys fees to the man who bumped him from the ballot.

Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes, who is heading the office in an election year for the first time, isn’t satisfied with a decades-old system, and he hasn’t been shy about saying so.

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Mark Syms, an independent candidate for the state Senate, cannot appear on the ballot in November.

State Elections Director Eric Spencer said the Secretary of State’s Office is preparing to ask the attorney general to investigate fraud allegations that have plagued the 2018 election cycle.

It’s campaign season again - surprise - and that means there’s a slew of candidates hitting the pavement for campaign contributions.

Mark Syms, an independent candidate running for the Senate in Legislative District 28, spent more than $15,000 on paid signature gatherers who delivered signatures a judge later ruled were fraudulent.

Elections officials said they will likely refer several campaigns that have been implicated for fraud and forgery to law enforcement for further investigation.