Crandall was removed from office on August 22 by State Senate President Andy Biggs after Crandall abandoned his office on August 16.
Crandall raised eyebrows and questions about his ethics when he refused to resign his Arizona seat, claiming he had to maintain insurance coverage in Arizona for his daughters since he would not have immediate coverage in his new position as Director of The Wyoming Department of Education.
At the time Crandall made the claim, he had already been advised that, in fact, he did have health insurance through the State of Arizona and would maintain coverage until the end of the pay period on August 31.
Crandall has held two public offices in two different states simultaneously since August 1.
Crandall’s behavior prior to leaving the state was considered bizarre by many. While attempting to secure one last paycheck from Arizona, for weeks, he would not be serving his constituents. He tweeted a picture of his U-Haul van in front of the Arizona State Capitol Building on August 16. Crandall originally submitted his resignation with the date of August 16, then proceeded to issue another resignation with the final date of the 31st. In that second letter, he claimed the change of plans were due to concerns over health insurance coverage.
Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett notified officials that Crandall’s Legislative District 16 seat was open and, as per Arizona statute, the Republican committeemen and women of Legislative District 16 must meet to select three nominees for consideration by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
The most likely nominees with the most wide-spread support are LD16 Chair Jerry Clingman and former Senator John Fillmore. Fillmore was redistricted out of his district and challenged Crandall for LD16 in the last election cycle. Crandall came under scrutiny then for his threats against State Senator Brenda Barton when he learned that she had witnessed one of Crandall’s daughters tampering with Fillmore’s campaign signs. Barton filed, then rescinded a complaint against Crandall after he apologized for threatening her.
Biggs notified Bennett in a letter dated August 22, 2013, with an outline of the reasons for the LD 16 vacancy. Biggs provided Bennett a list of “indicia of his abandonment” including the fact that Crandall now resides in Cheyenne, there is an empty Arizona Senate office, and Crandall’s admission that he was serving Arizona in name only and had no intention of serving his constituents in Arizona until August 31. Biggs noted that while he appreciates Crandall’s “trouble letting go of his office in Arizona, I think it is best if the constituents of Legislative District 16 are able to immediately begin the process of appointing a replacement.”
The Arizona Republican Party must call a meeting of all LD16 precinct committee persons within three days of receiving the notice, and the meeting to nominate replacements must be held within 21 days. The 95 elected precinct committee persons will vote to pick 3 candidates to be considered as replacements for Crandall. The people who have self-nominated and have been given an opportunity to speak and answer questions are Mara Benson, Jerry Clingman, David Farnsworth, Kelly Townsend, and John Fillmore.
The LD16 meeting will begin at 6:30 pm at the Liberty Arts Academy, 3015 S Power Rd. Only elected LD16 PCs from Maricopa County are eligible to vote and carry proxies for others.