On Tuesday morning the Mohave County Board of Supervisors voted to appoint former assistant to Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson, Sue Donahue, to the Arizona State Senate to replace Sen. Kelli Ward, who resigned her seat to run against U.S. Sen. John McCain.
The selection of Donohue appears to be highly controversial. Steve Robinson, the District 1 director of the Mohave County Republican Party told the Daily Miner, that Mohave County Supervisor Johnson, and Donohue “orchestrated this travesty.”
The Mohave County Board of Supervisors chose from three Lake Havasu City residents to choose from Donahue, LaJuana Gillette and George Schnittgrund, at a precinct committee members’ meeting in the Lake Havasu City Library, according to the Daily Miner.
“Unfortunately, only 41 of the 83 (precinct committee members) actually appeared in person, with the other 42 precinct committee members’ votes by proxy – which were carried by only three to four people,” Robinson told the Daily Miner of the PC meeting. “Most of those represented by proxy are from Lake Havasu City and have never attended a Central Committee meeting. It was a direct slap in the face of all active PCs (precinct committee members) who have been appointed to office, but were not eligible to vote.”
Robinson had supported the popular State Rep. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City. Borrelli was expected to face former State Senator Ron Gould. When asked by the Daily Miner if he thought Saturday’s meeting was a political move, Borrelli said, “Yes. It was Buster Johnson and Ron Gould.”
Borrelli said that whoever was chosen, he hoped they would work with him and Rep. Gina Cobb. Cobb and Borelli both represent LD5 in the House.
Donahue is expected to be sworn in by Senate President Andy Biggs (R-Gilbert) prior to the start of the legislative session which starts, Monday, January 11, 2016.