GOP Lawyers Attempt to Secure Ballot for Cornel West in Arizona

A group of Republican-affiliated lawyers has been actively working to place independent presidential candidate Cornel West on the Arizona ballot, highlighting the GOP's strategic interest in his campaign. As the deadline for submitting necessary paperwork approached, two potential electors, Jerry Judie and Denisha Mitchell, withdrew their support, prompting urgent efforts from Republican attorneys to salvage the situation. The Arizona Secretary of State confirmed that West failed to file the required documents by the deadline. Republicans view West's candidacy as a potential spoiler in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, believing he could draw votes away from the Democratic nominee. Judie, who initially expressed enthusiasm for West's campaign, received multiple calls and a visit from two prominent Republican lawyers, Amanda Reeve and Brett Johnson, after he opted out of the elector role. Reeve, a former state representative, and Johnson, affiliated with the Republican National Lawyers Association, were reportedly seeking to ensure West's inclusion on the ballot. Mitchell, another would-be elector, claimed she never agreed to serve in that capacity and alleged that the paperwork filed in her name was forged. Following media coverage of her situation, she received calls from individuals involved in the West campaign, further complicating the narrative. Both Mitchell and Judie expressed confusion over the circumstances surrounding their names being associated with West's candidacy, raising questions about the integrity of the signature-gathering process. The West campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment.