Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a statement on Apr. 7 in response to Warren Petersen’s referral of an election-related matter to the US Attorney.
The statement addresses ongoing debates over the conduct and aftermath of Arizona’s 2020 election, which has been subject to multiple investigations and audits. These reviews have found that the election was conducted fairly, transparently, and securely. Despite these findings, Mayes said that Petersen “inexplicably remains an election denier six years later.”
Mayes criticized what she described as repeated use of taxpayer funds for efforts questioning the validity of the 2020 results, including referencing expenditures on “the laughable Cyber Ninja’s audit” and a recent legal opinion by Petersen regarding voter privacy rights. She said, “This is yet another example of Petersen desperately seeking favor from a president who cannot accept that he lost his re-election in 2020 fair and square. Arizonans will not be fooled.” Mayes also commented on federal actions related to these disputes: “Unable to win in court in their efforts to seize the private data of Arizona voters, the Trump administration is attempting an end run around the rulings against them in these cases by weaponizing the federal grand jury process. It won’t work.” She added that current actions are intended not just as responses to past elections but may influence future ones: “But make no mistake — this is not about 2020. This is about laying the groundwork to deny the results of the 2026 election if they don’t go their way.” Mayes concluded her statement with: “No matter what Warren Petersen or the Trump administration have to say, I took an oath to uphold our Constitution and defend our elections and I will not be deterred from doing so.”
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office serves as Arizona’s chief legal office with statewide responsibilities for legal and protective services according to its official website. The office addresses issues such as elder abuse, civil rights violations, unsolved crimes through its cold case unit, fair housing initiatives, accountability measures for social media companies, and participates in federal action lawsuits according to its official website.
Kris Mayes currently holds office as Arizona’s 27th attorney general and is noted as being the first mother elected into this role according to its official website. The office delivers comprehensive advocacy services across Arizona according to its official website.
Observers note that ongoing disputes over past elections could shape political narratives leading up to future contests.
