Kari Lake challenge to election loss rejected by Arizona appeals court

An Arizona appeals court has rejected Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake’s challenge of her November loss to Democrat Katie Hobbs.

It is the second court ruling that finds no evidence to support Lake’s continued claims that she won. In fact, Hobbs defeated the former television news anchor by 17,117 votes, less than one percentage point.

“Lake’s arguments highlight Election Day difficulties, but her request for relief fails because the evidence presented to the superior court ultimately supports the court’s conclusion that voters were able to cast their ballots, that votes were counted correctly, and that no other basis justifies setting aside the election results,” the appellate opinion reads.

The court affirmed a prior ruling from Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter Thompson, who heard two days of testimony in December before ruling he could not “accept speculation or conjecture in place of clear and convincing evidence.”

Lake argued at the time that issues with ballot tabulators and long lines in Maricopa County were sufficient cause to redo the election.

The county and Hobbs countered, noting Lake’s argument was based on discredited polling and speculation that issues were the result of misconduct.

Though the Thursday ruling offers another blow to Lake’s claims she won the November election, the legal battle is not yet over. Lake has already said she will take the case to the Arizona Supreme Court.