Republican Karen Fann, the president of the Arizona state senate, told constituents that the current so-called audit of Maricopa County would give people more confidence in the outcome of the election, while telling others that Donald Trump personally thanked her for undertaking the effort, ABC News reports.
Fann’s emails were released as a result of a state Freedom of Information request and they were sent by Fann from late-November to late-May. Arizona Senate Republicans pushed for the audit, being conducted by a company that has no experience in election recounts or audits. A previous hand recount and two audits found no widespread irregularities or evidence of fraud in the election.
The majority of emails accused Fann of not fighting more aggressively for Trump as the election results were finalized prior to certification, with many claiming they would vote Fann and other members of the GOP out of office if they did not expose the “fraud” the writers asserted existed.
“Maybe you are not aware that our Senate is doing everything legally possible to get the forensic audit done and we are suing the Maricopa BOS,” she said, referencing the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. “I have been in numerous conversations with Rudy Giuliani over the past weeks. trying to get this done. I have the full support of him and a personal call from President Trump thanking us for pushing to prove any fraud.”
While in emails to pro-Trump constituents pointed to her support of the former president and of the audits–hinting that they would uncover widespread fraud–her emails to those opposed to the audit pushed the idea that the audit was a formality to provide the public with assurance that the election was called accurately.
“That is where you are mistaken. Biden won. 45% of all Arizona voters thinks there is a problem with the election system. The audit is to disprove those theories or find ways to improve the system,” she wrote to an Arizonan on May 21st.
Even though she has publicly supported the audit process, she wrote to one anti-recount advocate that she really didn’t like the goings-on with Cyber Ninjas.
“I cannot begin to explain how much I really hate this whole thing,” she wrote. “As Senate president I am bound to do my duty of upholding our constitution and laws, as well as following my caucus’ wishes. This is a unanimous decision by every member as each of them stated they are sworn to uphold their oath. They are also being encouraged by the literally thousands of emails and calls we are receiving from our constituents across the state asking us to please do the independent forensic audit to reinstall confidence in our electoral system.”
Contrary to statements made by Republican leaders, Fann said that the purpose of the Cyber Ninjas audit was not, in fact, to overturn the election results but instead to reinforce the integrity of the results.
“The Senate’s intentions has NEVER been about nullifying the electors or overturning the will of the voters,” Fann wrote. “I believe we must do our diligence of making sure this system is in fact secure to preserve the integrity of the Arizona elections system. We owe this to all the voters, regardless of party.”
The ballot recount is expected to be completed within a week, according to some Republicans leaders. A report containing the analysis of the recount will be released at some unspecified point after that.