PHOENIX — As details about the Republican-led review into Maricopa County's 2020 election results begin trickling in, Arizona's elected leaders have begun to offer their thoughts on the months-long audit.
Arizona Senate President Karen Fann and her audit team presented their final findings Friday afternoon but some details about their report had already been made public.
Drafts of the audit report show hand count results did not differ from the canvass that was certified shortly after November's election, which showed President Joe Biden as the winner in Maricopa County.
Many elected officials said the audit drafts simply show what most Arizonans have already known for months: Biden won.
Governor Doug Ducey
"When it comes to the audit, like the three audits that preceded it, it’s now over. The outcome stands and the 2020 election in Arizona is over."
Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee
“The Maricopa County Audit has exposed multiple areas of concern in election administration creating the opportunity for fraud. As administrator of Arizona’s Election Integrity Fund with $12 million to distribute, I will make sure there are opportunities to address these vulnerabilities in every county across Arizona prior to the 2022 elections, and as Governor, I will ensure that all Americans can trust Arizona’s election results in 2024.”
Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel
“Today, the Senate Republicans received a report on the findings of a months-long review of the 2020 Maricopa County election results and process. The bottom line of their findings is that President Joe Biden received the majority of votes in Maricopa County. Now that this exercise has been completed, it is my hope that the state and county can move forward and return to the business of governing.“
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema
Democratic U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema said it's been "deeply troubling" to see state leaders waste time and money sowing doubt in Arizona's election results.
"Those of us who are trusted with elected office are, first and foremost, public servants. We serve our constituents - we do not seek to substitute our personal ambitions for the will of the American people,” Sinema said.
AG Mark Brnovich
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, a Republican, declined to comment on the audit until after his office reviews its findings. He promised to take "necessary actions that are supported by the evidence."
Brnovich highlighted how his office "consistently supported the Senate’s authority to conduct the audit."
The attorney general notably helped the Senate's audit team in getting Maricopa County to comply with subpoenas to release computer routers. Brnovich threatened to withhold the county's state-share revenue if it didn't provide access to the requested materials.
County Supervisor Jack Sellers
Maricopa County Supervisor Jack Sellers, a Republican, said he expected the audit team to keep accusing the county of stonewalling their inquiry. But he emphasized how the audit's draft reports still confirm the county's original ballot counts.
In a full statement on his website, Sellers said in part, "The Cyber Ninjas’ opinions come from a misuse and misunderstanding of the data provided by the county and are twisted to fit the narrative that something went wrong."
Secretary of State Katie Hobbs
Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat who's running for governor, attacked the Senate's contractor, Cyber Ninjas, for conducting a months-long review that ended up showing the same results.
"The Cyber Ninjas embarrassed Arizona for months, violated voters' trust, refused transparency, and stuck AZ taxpayers with a multi-million dollar bill," Hobbs said on Thursday.
County Supervisor Steve Gallardo
Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo, a Democrat, called out Senator Fann to bring an end to the "sham fraudit" and take responsibility for sowing doubt in Arizona's elections.
County Recorder Stephen Richer
Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, a Republican who has previously criticized the audit, responded to the initial findings by posting a playful tweet that parodies a famous photo of President Harry Truman.
Former President Donald Trump
Donald Trump has been providing his thoughts on the audit findings on his website.
12 News will provide updates of more reactions to Friday's audit proceedings as they become available.
