Kari Lake Declines to Defend Herself in Defamation Lawsuit

Kari Lake declined to defend herself in a defamation lawsuit filed by Republican Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer and requested that the Arizona court move forward with issuing damages.

Richer is requesting compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a statement from Lake admitting her allegations of election fraud in the 2022 governor’s race were false.

Lake is claiming the lawsuit is “lawfare,” stating on X, “The political elite will do anything to hold onto power and STOP outsiders like me — they’ve resorted to filing a ludicrous defamation lawsuit to try to stop me and bleed me dry. Taking part in this lawfare just legitimizes it Instead, I will continue to focus on the issues that matter to the people of Arizona: securing the border, bringing back our economy, and improving healthcare and education. Arizona is worth fighting for, and that’s what I will continue to do. 🚨Watch And Share!🚨”

After a motion to dismiss the lawsuit failed, and the Arizona Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal, Lake is looking to quickly end the case during her run for Arizona’s U.S. Senate seat. Lake, who has a history of conflict within her party, accused Arizona Republican Chair Jeff DeWit of attempting to bribe her into dropping out of the Arizona U.S. Senate race.

Richer called Lake’s decision “surrender,” stating on X, “Complete and total surrender by @KariLake. Kari: You lied. You just accepted liability. You will now have a judgment entered, in court, against you, for lying about our elections and me. It was all B.S. Now on to damages.”