PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Austin Smith (R-LD 29) personally forged nomination signatures, elections complaint alleges

WEST VALLEY - A new lawsuit filed today in Maricopa County alleges that Rep. Austin Smith may have personally forged signatures from at least two Arizona voters in his bid to be re-elected in Legislative District 29. If the lawsuit proves true, this forgery would be among the most egregious incidents by an elected official in recent Arizona election history and immediately disqualify Smith from the ballot.  

Two Arizona voters have completed affidavits affirming that they never signed Smith’s petition. Smith is listed as the circulator for both voter signatures. Jim Ashurst, a voter in LD 29, filed a challenge late Monday.

Smith touts “election integrity” on his campaign website as a top issue, falsely calling into question “what happened” on Election Day 2020 in Maricopa County. Smith has also served as a director for Turning Point USA’s political PAC, which supports election denier candidates. 

“Smith’s alleged forgery, if proven, would be both reprehensible and deeply hypocritical,” said ADLCC Co-Chair Sen. Priya Sundareshan.  “For years, Smith has helped to perpetuate false election claims and conspiracy theories. Now, it may prove to be true that Smith is the one undermining our election integrity by committing fraud. If that’s true, shame on him.” 

Ashurst, a resident of Goodyear, is the plaintiff in the challenge.

“Election integrity is the foundation of our democracy. When an elected official attempts to lie his way onto our ballot, he attacks the system that has made our community, our state and our country so great,” said Ashurst. “Voters in the West Valley and across the state deserve to be represented by a legislator who will uphold the rule of law. It’s deeply concerning that Smith has so little respect for Arizona voters. This is a betrayal of his constituents and all Arizonans and I hope Smith will be held accountable.” 

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