Former President Donald Trump allegedly called the former Gov. Doug Ducey (R-AZ) in November 2020 to persuade the governor not to certify the results of the election.
Three people familiar with the call told the Washington Post under the condition of anonymity that Trump called Ducey in the middle of the signing ceremony certifying the results of the election on Nov. 30. Although Ducey did not answer the call, the caller was identifiable by the “Hail to the Chief” ringtone.
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“This is neither new nor is it news to anyone,” Ducey’s spokesman Daniel Scarpinato said. “The Governor stands by his action to certify the election and considers the issue to be in the rearview mirror.”
A Republican donor, again speaking under anonymity, said Ducey felt he was under “pressure” from the former president to overturn the election results, which Trump lost by more than 10,000 votes. Ducey told reporters on Dec. 2 that he had spoken with both Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence, but he did not disclose the nature of the calls, which those close to the matter confirm were not recorded.
After certifying his state’s election results, Ducey tweeted a nine-post thread on Nov. 30 defending the integrity of Arizona election law and stressing disenfranchisement did not occur.
“In Arizona, we have some of the strongest election laws in the country, laws that prioritize accountability and clearly lay out procedures for conducting, canvassing, and even contesting the results of an election,” Ducey said.
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Special counsel Jack Smith has not investigated the pressure on Arizona from the White House regarding the certification of the 2020 election.
“I’ve also said all along, I’m going to follow the law,” Ducey said.
