LD11 formally requests the expulsion of 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