Arizona House votes to expel State Rep. Liz Harris
PHOENIX - The Arizona House has voted to expel Republican state lawmaker Liz Harris.
The final vote on Wednesday was 46 to 13, with 18 Republicans joining the 28 Democrats in approving the expulsion.
On April 11, the House Ethics Committee issued a report saying Harris broke a rule during an election presentation.
Arizona State House members vote to expel GOP's Liz Harris
Prior to her expulsion, Harris represented the state's 13th Legislative District, which covers a portion of the East Valley. The Speaker of the State House, Republican Ben Toma, said Harris' expulsion is necessary, and taht she was held accountable for bad behavior. FOX 10's Nicole Garcia reports.
House Democrats filed an ethics complaint following a presentation from a Scottsdale insurance agent in February, saying Harris invited Jacqueline Breger to speak, where she made serious and unfounded allegations accusing elected officials, judges and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints of taking bribes and laundering money for the Sinaloa Cartel.
Prior to her expulsion, Harris represented the state's 13th Legislative District, which covers a portion of the East Valley.
As Harris left, the now ex-lawmaker called the ethics report "a lie," and said "God knows the truth."
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has 10 days to appoint someone to replace Harris.
State House Speaker: Expulsion was necessary
The State House Speaker, Rep. Ben Toma (R), said Harris' expulsion was necessary, and that she needed to be held accountable for her bad behavior.
"Bad behavior can no longer be allowed to continue. That is it," said State House Speaker Toma. "On a personal note, the only thing we have down here is our word and our integrity, and when that is clearly crossed, when you can no longer count on someone's word and integrity, they can no longer be an effective legislator."
One GOP lawmaker, however, said he is opposed to Harris' expulsion.
"It sets a bad precedent because it says we're going to expel members for playing shell games and hiding the ball. Well, start expelling members for that, there would only be a few occupied seats down here," said State Rep. Alexander Kolodin. The Republican lawmaker represents the state's 3rd Legislative District, which covers a portion of Northeastern Maricopa County.