Arizona House Votes to Expel Republican Rep. Liz Harris

Published
April 12, 2023 11:59AM

Updated
5:18PM

PHOENIX – The Arizona House has decided to expel Liz Harris, a Republican lawmaker.

The vote took place on Wednesday, and the result was 46 to 13, with 18 Republicans voting in favor of expulsion alongside the 28 Democrats.

On April 11, the House Ethics Committee issued a report that accused Harris of breaking the rules during an election presentation.

House Democrats filed an ethics complaint after a Scottsdale insurance agent gave a presentation in February, in which Harris invited Jacqueline Breger to speak. During the presentation, Breger made severe and unfounded allegations, accusing elected officials, judges, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints of taking bribes and laundering money for the Sinaloa Cartel.

Prior to her expulsion, Harris represented Arizona’s 13th Legislative District, which is located in a portion of the East Valley.

As Harris left, the now ex-lawmaker called the ethics report “a lie,” and stated that “God knows the truth.”

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has ten days to appoint someone to replace Harris.

State House Speaker: Expulsion was necessary

State House Speaker, Rep. Ben Toma (R), said that Harris’ expulsion was necessary and that she needed to be accountable for her bad behavior.

“Bad behavior can no longer be allowed to continue. That is it,” said State House Speaker Toma. “On a personal note, the only thing we have down here is our word and our integrity, and when that is clearly crossed, when you can no longer count on someone’s word and integrity, they can no longer be an effective legislator.”

A GOP lawmaker objected to Harris’ expulsion, stating that “It sets a bad precedent because it says we’re going to expel members for playing shell games and hiding the ball. Well, start expelling members for that, there would only be a few occupied seats down here,” said State Rep. Alexander Kolodin. The Republican lawmaker represents Arizona’s 3rd Legislative District, which is located in a portion of Northeastern Maricopa County.