In the wake of President Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 election, many Republicans are finding themselves fending off attacks by Trump and his allies within their own party. Despite Joe Biden soundly defeating Trump by over 6.8 million votes in the popular vote and by a projected 58 electoral votes, Trump and his most ardent supporters continue to float the idea he could win his reelection bid.
To that end they've focused on close races especially in states with some measure of Republican control. But the governments of those states did their jobs and conducted fair and open elections, declared winners, conducted recounts and certified results.
Georgia's Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger faced backlash for his state's election results, which showed Biden was the winner even after a hand recount. Officials in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania also felt the heat from an incumbent President in denial and his loyal fans.
After Arizona's Republican Governor Doug Ducey defended his state's election results...
I've been pretty outspoken about Arizona's election system, and bragged about it quite a bit, including in the Oval Office. And for good reason. 1/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) December 1, 2020
We've been doing early voting since 1992. Arizona didn't explore or experiment this year. We didn't cancel election day voting as some pushed for — we weren't going to disenfranchise any voter. 2/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) December 1, 2020
In Arizona, we have some of the strongest election laws in the country, laws that prioritize accountability and clearly lay out procedures for conducting, canvassing, and even contesting the results of an election. 3/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) December 1, 2020
We've got ID at the polls. We review EVERY signature (every single one) on early ballots — by hand — unlike other states that use computers. Prohibitions on ballot harvesting. Bipartisan poll observers. Clear deadlines, including no ballots allowed after Election Day. 4/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) December 1, 2020
The problems that exist in other states simply don't apply here. I've also said all along, I'm going to follow the law. So here's what the law says… 5/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) December 1, 2020
It requires the Secretary of State, in the presence of the Governor and the Attorney General, to canvass the election on the fourth Monday following the general election. That was today. 6/ pic.twitter.com/Bo3UnnRYe6
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) December 1, 2020
This can ONLY be delayed if counties DECLINE to certify their results. ALL 15 counties in Arizona — counties run by both parties — certified their results. 7/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) December 1, 2020
The canvass of the election triggers a 5-day window for any elector to bring a credible challenge to the election results in court. If you want to contest the results, now is the time. Bring your challenges. 8/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) December 1, 2020
That's the law. I've sworn an oath to uphold it, and I take my responsibility seriously. 9/9
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) December 1, 2020
...he was the subject of a Trump Twitter tirade.
TRUE! https://t.co/GaldE1fto5
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2020
Why is he rushing to put a Democrat in office, especially when so many horrible things concerning voter fraud are being revealed at the hearing going on right now. @OANN What is going on with @dougducey? Republicans will long remember! https://t.co/XILGaHcyw7
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2020
The President was joined in his attacks on Ducey by Arizona's GOP chair, Kelli Ward. In response to Ducey's defense of their home state and the integrity of Republican officials, Ward told Ducey to "Shut The Hell Up."
She tweeted:
"#STHU [Election Integrity] is missing in Arizona. Period."
#STHU #ElectionIntegrity is missing in Arizona. Period. https://t.co/yJrdPDw7SV
— Dr. Kelli Ward 🇺🇸 (@kelliwardaz) December 1, 2020
Ward—who challenged John McCain for his Senate seat in 2016 and lost—found little support for her outburst.
Nice. He puts out a professional explanatory message, and you react like a middle school student. Great job!
— Calinda (@Calinda91351502) December 1, 2020
That's Kelli Ward 101. She has the decorum of a junior high school student who got their cellphone taken away.
— JP (@H00KEMH0RN5) December 1, 2020
Kelli Ward knows AZ's election was fair, clean, and accurate.
Ward uses false claims to cover her embarrassment as AZ GOP chair where she oversaw state flip twice to blue - Biden for president and Mark Kelly for senate.
— PhxModerate 🇺🇸 🌵 🏳️🌈 (@ModeratePhx) December 1, 2020
She's a consistent loser - she can't get past a primary so of course she wants some attention.
— TheatreOfCruelty😭 (@TheaterOCruelty) December 1, 2020
Bingo. Ward lost to McSally who lost both senate seats to Dems in elections.
— PhxModerate 🇺🇸 🌵 🏳️🌈 (@ModeratePhx) December 1, 2020
Why do Republican's hate democracy?
— Brian Bruce (@BrianBruce7) December 1, 2020
Most unsuccessful, unaccomplished R in AZ says what?
— Ryan Young (@ryfoto) December 1, 2020
Dudette. Chill. You're sounding pretty weird. Are you okay? I know a good counselor.
— Curtis Freeman (@DrCurtisFreeman) December 1, 2020
He explained the process and the law. You need to sit down and stop throwing a tantrum.
— sable227-Black Lives Matter. Wear A Mask🐈🐕🏴☠️ (@sable227) December 1, 2020
Arizona's election results were certified. While most people recognized the election was decided and over, Trump continues to send daily requests for donations to help his 2020 campaign.
Whether an end to that money stream is influencing the desperate attempts to keep the election going is unclear.
