Arizona Republican House Speaker Rusty Bowers is "no longer a Republican in good standing" after the state party's Executive Committee voted to censure him.
Bowers' crime? Speaking the truth about Donald Trump's failed coup attempt under sworn oath. That'll land you in the Republican gallows every time.
Bowers testified before the select committee investigating Jan. 6 that Trump, his lawyers John Eastman and Rudy Giuliani, and Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona all pressured him at various times to help overturn the state's election results. At one point, Bowers recalled Giuliani telling him of the supposed election fraud, "We have lots of theories, we just don't have the evidence."
GOP state party chair Kelli Ward tweeted Tuesday, "The @AZGOP Executive Committee formally censured Rusty Bowers tonight—he is no longer a Republican in good standing & we call on Republicans to replace him at the ballot box in the August primary."
Ward cited lots of reasons for Bowers falling out of favor, including his support for investing in education, safeguarding election integrity, and protecting trans Americans against bigotry. But let's face it, Bowers' Jan. 6 testimony is the straw that broke the camel's back.
The following week, both Trump and Ward endorsed Bowers' primary rival, former state Sen. David Farnsworth. Ward has also derided Bowers by nicknaming him "Rusty Bowels." Charming.
Bowers said during testimony that he voted for Trump and would vote for him again, but he declined to corruptly decertify the state election without evidence despite the pressure campaign from Trump and Co.
"It is a tenet of my faith that the Constitution is divinely inspired," he said, growing visibly emotional. "I would not do it."
Published with permission of Daily Kos
