BREAKING: Challenges Filed To Kick "Insurrectionists" Reps. Gosar, Biggs, Finchem Off 2022 Ballot (READ Complaints)

UPDATE, 4/8, 9am: A trial in the qualifications challenge to Rep. Paul Gosar has been set for next Wednesday, April 13, at 10am. The trial will be in front of the Hon. Alison Bachus. ]

The Superior Court has made final judicial assignments for the three "insurrectionist" challenges. When a typical case is filed with the Clerk's Office, the computer immediately assigns a judge. However, these expedited elections cases are heard by a smaller subset of judges, and were reassigned by the Civil Administration Department yesterday. (On Thursday, it was unclear whether the initial assignment or the Civil Admin reassignment was showing on the docket.)

So, the current assignments - which, given the expedited nature, should be final - are:

Finchem: Judge Christopher Coury, April 12 trial, 11am

Gosar: Judge Alison Bachus, April 13 trial, 10am

Biggs: Judge Margaret Mahoney, April 13 trial, 10am

UPDATE, 2:50pm: TRIAL in the challenge to @RealMarkFinchem's candidacy for Secy/State has been set for NEXT TUESDAY, Apr. 12 at 11am. It is in front of Judge Christopher Coury.

A prominent Arizona election law attorney has filed legal challenges to the candidacies of U.S. Reps. Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs, as well as Secretary of State candidate Rep. Mark Finchem.

As first reported in the New York Times, a progressive group called Free Speech for People has brought their efforts to hold Trump-supporting elected officials to account for their involvement in the post-election efforts to overturn the election results.

Arizona attorney Jim Barton filed the three separate candidate challenges this morning, and has asked the Court to approve expedited discovery requests.

The case against State Rep. Mark Finchem, who is running in a contested primary for Secretary of State, has been randomly assigned to Judge Christopher Coury.

The Gosar case is assigned to Judge Brad Astrowsky, and the Biggs case has been assigned to Judge John Hannah.

Candidate challenges are heard on an expedited basis. If appealed, they are taken up immediately by the Arizona Supreme Court. (The deadline to file such cases is April 18.) 

The challenges are able to be filed in Maricopa County Superior Court pursuant to the challenge statute because Finchem is running for statewide office, Gosar's Congressional District encompasses multiple counties, and Biggs' CD is in Maricopa County.

(This is a developing story. Please check back for further details.)

This article was reported by AZ Law founder Paul Weich. Paul is currently running for a seat in Arizona's House of Representatives.

"AZ Law" includes articles, commentaries and updates about opinions from the Arizona Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court, as well as trial and appellate courts, etc. AZ Law is founded by Phoenix attorney Paul Weich, and joins Arizona's Politics on the internet. 

AZ Law airs on non-profit Sun Sounds of Arizona, a statewide reading service that provides audio access to printed material for people who cannot hold or read print material due to a disability. If you know someone who could benefit from this 24/7 service, please let them know about member-supported Sun Sounds. And, YOU can donate or listen here. 

Previous episodes of AZ Law can be streamed or downloaded here, or wherever you get your podcasts.