To: House Speaker Russell Bowers Majority Leader Ben Toma Majority Whip Leo Biasiucci Speaker Pro Tempore Travis Grantham Minority Leader Reginald. Bolding Assistant Minority Leader Jennifer Longdon Minority Whip Domingo Degrazia
From: Democratic Legislative District Nine Executive Board
RE: Representative Mark Finchem
Regardless that Representative Mark Finchem (R-LD11) does not directly represent Arizona Legislative District Nine, his recent actions in the Arizona House of Representatives directly impact our district, our state and our country.
Finchem’s organizing and enabling activities and direct participation in the January 6th attempt to overthrow the government of the United States was an act of insurrection. His tweets of encouragement to the insurrectionists helped to perpetrate a violent attempt to overthrow the government of the United States of America.
We fully concur with Legislative District 11 Democrats in their declaration that LD11 Representative Mark Finchem has unequivocally disqualified himself from serving as a state or federal official. Finchem’s betrayal of his oath of office cannot stand.
We fully support LD11 Democrats in their request to strip Rep. Finchem of all Arizona State House leadership and committee positions, effective immediately.
Legislative District 9 Democrats are proud to stand in solidarity behind the recall effort of Representative Mark Finchem.
House Speaker R. Bowers Majority Leader B. Toma Majority Whip L. Biasiucci Speaker Pro-Temp T. Grantham Minority Leader R. Bolding Asst. Minority Leader J. Longdon Minority Whip D. DeGrazia
Pursuant to the U.S. Constitution: Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment disqualifies an individual from serving as a state or federal official if that person has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against” the United States.
We, the Executive Board of the Legislative District 11 Democratic Party, formally request that LD11 Representative Mark Finchem be stripped of all AZ State House leadership and committee positions effective immediately. We further request that the House begin the process of expelling Rep. Finchem from his elected position.
Rep. Finchem was in attendance at the January 6th attempt to overthrow the government of the United States. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell accurately described the violent attack on the Capital as an insurrection. During the deadly and destructive invasion, Rep. Finchem tweeted encouragement to the insurrectionists and justification for their actions. Incitement of insurrection is equal to direct participation in the act of insurrection.This request is made in order to prevent Rep. Finchem from being able to pursue any actions that might precipitate and encourage another violent act against our nation. As Rep. Finchem’s Tweet implies he favors violent recourse to election results with which he disagrees. Therefore, he must be considered a clear and present danger. Ignoring his participation will amount to tacit approval of his actions.
Be aware that a formal recall of Rep. Finchem is underway. We believe that the AZ State House of Representatives must take immediate and unambiguous action in light of what must be considered Rep. Finchem’s participation in and incitement of sedition and insurrection against the United States of America. It is time to put our nation and democracy above party and political expediency.
The Executive Board of Legislative District 11 Democratic Party
