"Multiple Politicians Withdraw from Races Amid Allegations of Signature Fraud"
Republican state Rep. Austin Smith has dropped his reelection bid amid accusations of personally forging over 100 petition signatures to get on the 2024 ballot, facing a possible criminal investigation. Smith, a member of Arizona’s far-right Arizona Freedom Caucus, has been criticized for his alleged behavior, with calls for his resignation and investigation. Despite claiming election fraud in Maricopa County, Smith announced he was dropping out of the race, denying accountability for the allegedly fraudulent signatures and citing financial concerns.