Smith Goes After Ducey For Attack Ads

By Steve Goldstein
Published: Wednesday, July 2, 2014 - 10:51am

One of Arizona's Republican gubernatorial candidates has filed an election law complaint against one of his primary opponents.

Former Mesa Mayor Scott Smith's lawyers accuse state Treasurer Doug Ducey of illegally coordinating with outside groups that have run ads targeting Smith.

The complaint filed with the Secretary of State and Citizens Clean Elections Commission alleges that Ducey hired consultants that also worked for the two outside groups that ran ads critical of Smith.

A Ducey spokeswoman called the complaint meritless and a "cheap publicity stunt."

The Clean Elections Commission can initiate an investigation if it concludes there is probable cause an election law violation was committed. The Secretary of State's office can refer the complaint to an outside prosecutor if it determines there is some evidence of violations.