The Grind:
The Arizona Court of Appeals issued an order Tuesday in Republican candidate Kari Lake’s election challenge in the November governor’s race, setting a briefing schedule with Jan. 24 as the date for oral arguments, if the case goes forward.
“The case may be resolved, however, prior to that date if the panel declines to accept jurisdiction on the special action,” the court’s order said.
The judges assigned to the case are Maria Elena Cruz, Angela Paton and Peter Swann.
The Details:
Cruz will be the presiding judge. She was appointed to the bench by then-Gov. Doug Ducey in 2017. Paton is another appointee of the Republican Ducey, having been nominated in 2021, while Swann was appointed by Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano in 2008.
However, just because Ducey appointed the judges does not mean they are Republicans or conservative. He mostly appointed Republicans, but not always.
Cruz, in fact, is a Democrat from Yuma County, according to Ballotpedia.
Their party background does not necessarily indicate how they’ll rule, but two Democrats to one Republican might not bode well in Lake’s challenge of Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs’ win in the November election. Read more…