A group of prominent Republican lawyers has bolstered efforts to secure Cornel West's candidacy on the Arizona presidential ballot, exemplifying the GOP's strategic involvement in West's campaign. Facing a tight deadline, two Republican attorneys and an operative spearheading the ballot initiative for West encountered resistance from two would-be electors, Jerry Judie and Denisha Mitchell, who both opted out. The operatives then escalated their efforts with numerous calls and personal visits to persuade the electors to reconsider.
To qualify for the state's ballot, independent presidential candidates must secure a slate of electors who would cast Electoral College votes for them. The push to place West on the ballot is aimed at diverting votes from the Democratic presidential nominee. Despite Judie's past admiration for West's ideology, he and Mitchell distanced themselves from the campaign upon realizing the GOP's significant role. Judie said things changed for him once President Biden bowed out. "When she [Kamala Harris] was in the driver's seat, that changed the game. That changed everything for me, my family, and the people that I know. It was like magic."
Both Judie and Mitchell report being contacted repeatedly by Republican lawyers, with Judie noting home visits from attorneys Amanda Reeve and Brett Johnson. Reeve, once a Republican state representative, stressed the urgency in voicemails. The campaign persists in its broader agenda across several states, though it's uncertain if West qualified for the Arizona ballot. The Arizona Attorney General's office and the Secretary of State's office have yet to comment on the matter. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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