Ariz. Certifies Petitions for Mecham Recall

PHOENIX —  The secretary of state today certified more than enough petitions to force a recall election for indicted Gov. Evan Mecham, leaving him with the choice of resigning in five days or facing voters again next spring.

Secretary of State Rose Mofford announced that the petitions contained 301,032 valid signatures, well above the 216,746 required to force a recall election.

If Mecham refuses to step down, as he has vowed, Mofford will schedule a recall election.

Mofford, a Democrat, will replace the governor if he resigns or is removed from office.

‘No Intention of Resigning’

“The governor obviously has no intention of resigning,” said Mecham spokesman Ken Smith today after Mofford’s announcement.

Mecham pleaded innocent last week to criminal charges that he concealed a $350,000 campaign loan.

When the recall petition campaign kicked off in early July, the Republican governor questioned whether “a few homosexuals and dissident Democrats” could raise enough signatures.

Mecham has had people working on a campaign against his recall since late last year and he told reporters Saturday that he will ask the Legislature to pay part of his campaign costs if a new election is held.