Rep. Doug Quelland/Cronkite News Service
Rep. Doug Quelland, R-Phoenix, lost his administrative appeal Monday to stop the Arizona Clean Elections Commission from removing him from office. Once the commission acts on the ruling of the administrative law judge, Quelland can then go to Superior Court to make his case.
Quelland is accused of spending up to $15,000 of his own money last year in his bid for a House seat, while also taking public campaign funds. State law requires that publicly funded candidates who spend more than 10 percent beyond the state-imposed limits must be removed from office.
Former Rep. David Burnell Smith, R-Carefree, faced similar accusations in 2005. He tried to argue that the Clean Elections commission didn’t have the authority under the state constitution to remove him. But the courts rejected his plea and he became the first lawmaker in the country to lose his job because of campaign finance violations.
The immediate question will be if the courts can fast enough to determine Quelland’s status before the Legislature returns for its regular session in January? Or could Quelland represent his district and possibly vote on bills when the law says he shouldn’t be there at all?
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He was elected, of course he should be there. Clean elections is analogous to foxes guarding a henhouse, they shouldn’t determine anyone’s representation.