Liz Harris, a Republican representative in Arizona, has been expelled from office by the GOP-controlled state House for promoting baseless conspiracy theories during a legislative hearing (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/12/us/politics/arizona-republican-liz-harris-expelled.html). The vote to expel her was bipartisan, with 46-13 in favor of her removal (https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/legislature/2023/04/12/replacing-expelled-rep-liz-harris-arizona-legislature/7142328001/). The decision came after a legislative ethics committee found that Harris invited a witness whose testimony was filled with false accusations (https://www.washingtonpost.com/2023/04/12/arizona-rep-harris-expelled/). Harris has been a proponent of QAnon conspiracy theories, which claim that there is a deep state of high-ranking officials working to undermine former President Trump and his supporters (https://www.12news.com/article/news/politics/liz-harris-arizona-representative-expelled-resignation/75-67c7aaec-b308-4b7d-abb4-f4c7f8d4c17d).
Harris’ expulsion has led to the question of who will replace her. A new Republican will soon take over her seat, but it is unclear who that will be (https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/legislature/2023/04/12/replacing-expelled-rep-liz-harris-arizona-legislature/7142328001/). Two prominent names lead the candidates to replace Harris (https://www.azfamily.com/news/new-republican-to-soon-fill-vacancy-created-by-the-expulsion-of-liz-harris/article_12ab8ddc-208e-11ed-9197-83ba79dfa0d7.html).
Harris had responded to her expulsion by saying that she would continue to fight for the people of Arizona (https://www.azfamily.com/news/new-republican-to-soon-fill-vacancy-created-by-the-expulsion-of-liz-harris/article_12ab8ddc-208e-11ed-9197-83ba79dfa0d7.html). Arizona State Senator TJ Shope weighed in on Harris’ expulsion, saying that it was necessary to protect the integrity of the legislative process (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkttEoPN7Vc).
Harris’ expulsion highlights the growing concern over the spread of conspiracy theories in politics and the need for accountability when promoting false information (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/gop-controlled-arizona-house-votes-expel-republican-representative-n1260115).
