Mecham Refuses to Resign; Will Run in Arizona Recall Election

PHOENIX —  Declaring “I have broken no laws,” Gov. Evan Mecham said Saturday that he will not resign but instead will run in a recall election to keep his job.

In a letter unsealed Saturday night by the Arizona secretary of state, Mecham said: “I was legally elected by the people of Arizona to the office of governor, and I intend to fulfill my responsibility as governor of the state until those same people vote to remove me from office.”

The governor delivered the letter to Secretary of State Rose Mofford on Friday evening, but it was marked that it not be opened until Saturday.

Mofford told reporters that on Monday she will officially schedule a recall election for May 17.

Meanwhile, the Republican governor on Saturday accused a state police lieutenant of perjuring himself in testimony before the Arizona House select committee that is considering whether to impeach Mecham. Mecham plans to testify Monday.

Criminal Trial

Mecham also faces a March 9 criminal trial on charges of fraud, perjury and filing false documents for allegedly concealing a $350,000 campaign loan.

Mofford, a Democrat, would replace Mecham if he resigned or was removed from office.

In a speech to the state Republican convention on Saturday morning, Mecham said: “I don’t for a minute think that the people of this state are going to turn out a record of accomplishment for a bunch of vague promises (by) people who have no record of accomplishment in the field they’re talking about.”

In the recall election, Mecham will take on all comers, who would have to gather 3,336 petition signatures to qualify for the ballot. Democrat Carolyn Warner, who lost to Mecham in a three-way race in November, 1986, has already announced plans to run.

Former Rep. John J. Rhodes, once House minority leader, has formed an exploratory committee.

Lie Claimed

In an interview Saturday, Mecham contended that Lt. Beau Johnson lied when he testified that Johnson had fully informed the governor of an alleged death threat against a former state official.

Mecham said: “Beau Johnson perjured himself. The words ‘death threat’ or ‘felony’ was never uttered in my presence.”

When Mecham attended the GOP convention Saturday, he was seated on the dais but apart from Sen. John McCain and Reps. Jim Kolbe, Jon Kyl and John J. Rhodes III--all of whom have called for his resignation.