Arizona Secretary of State Accuses Governor of 'Deafening Silence' After Threats Against Her Family

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs has accused Governor Doug Ducey of "deafening silence" about unsubstantiated claims of irregularities in the 2020 presidential election.

Hobbs, a Democrat, said she and her family had received threats from supporters of President Donald Trump as the results in Arizona have been counted. Trump won the state in 2016 but this time out it has been called for former Vice President Joe Biden.

Ducey, a Republican, has condemned the threats, calling them "completely unacceptable," according to AZ Central, but he has not pushed back against unproven claims about the election.

"There are questions and those questions should be answered," Ducey said at a press conference on Wednesday, pointing to ongoing lawsuits.

Hobbs responded to Ducey's comments, saying: "Anything short of calling out these baseless claims of fraud will only fuel the fervent misinformation."

In a statement released on her Twitter account, Hobbs said she was "prepared for these threats of violence and vitriol" and said those threats were "ongoing and escalating."

"I have been a social worker for many years and can anticipate this reaction when certain people feel powerless and angry. These actions are utterly abhorrent, especially when directed at my family and my staff," the statement said.

"They are a symptom of a deeper problem in our state and country—the consistent and systematic undermining of trust in each other and our democratic process."

Hobbs did not offer details of the threats, according to Reuters. She criticized those who have made unsubstantiated claims about the election. President Donald Trump and several senior Republicans have alleged widespread irregularities without providing evidence.

"But there are those, including the president, members of Congress and other elected officials, who are perpetuating misinformation and are encouraging others to distrust the election results in a manner that violates the oath of the office they took," Hobbs said.

"It is well past time that they stop. Their words and actions have consequences. Now, I am calling on other leaders in the state, including the governor whose deafening silence has contributed to the growing unrest to stand up for the truth.

"This should be a time for thanking voters and election workers for their incredible commitment during unprecedented challenges. In that spirit, I offer my gratitude and express my admiration for the Arizonans who inspire trust in our democracy," the statement concluded.

Governor Doug Ducey has been contacted for comment.