Republican Kari Lake loses suit over her defeat in Arizona

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A judge has dismissed Republican Kari Lake's appeal of Democrat Katie Hobbs' victory in the campaign for governor of Arizona, dismissing her argument that issues with ballot printers at some polling locations on Election Day were the product of deliberate misconduct.

Judge Peter Thompson of Maricopa County Superior Court, who was chosen by former Republican Governor Jan Brewer, ruled on Saturday that there was insufficient proof to support Lake's claims that widespread corruption influenced the outcome of the general election in 2022. Lake announced in a statement that she will appeal the decision.

The judge ruled that none of Lake's witnesses had firsthand knowledge of purposeful wrongdoing.

“The Court cannot accept speculation or conjecture in place of clear and convincing evidence,” Thompson said as quoted by ABC News.

Lake was among the most outspoken 2022 Republicans supporting former President Donald Trump. While the majority of other election skeptics around the nation renounced their positions after losing their contests in November, Lake has not. Instead, in Maricopa County, which is home to more than 60% of Arizona's voters, she requested that the judge either declare her the winner or order a re-vote.

The judge acknowledged in the ruling the "anger and irritation" of voters who experienced difficulties during the election, noting that doing so "has never been done in the history of the United States."

“But this Court’s duty is not solely to incline an ear to public outcry,” the judge continued. “It is to subject Plaintiff’s claims and Defendants’ actions to the light of the courtroom and scrutiny of the law."

Earlier this month, Lake filed a 70-page lawsuit, challenging the state's election results, and is demanding a court order that would make her winner instead.