Graham Co. pol wants challenger bumped

SAFFORD — A Graham County supervisor seeking re-election is trying to have his competition bounced from the ballot by claiming his signatures are invalid.

The lawsuit from Democratic incumbent Drew John claims petition circulators working for his challenger, Steven D. Bingham, did not actually witness several voters signing the petition.

The six-page complaint also states that some of the voters who signed are not actually registered in Graham County, an area that includes Safford and parts of the San Carlos Indian Reservation in southeastern Arizona.

Because of these issues, the complaint states, Bingham falls short of having the required 61 valid signatures to be on the Sept. 2 ballot.

As a result, John is asking a Graham County Superior Court judge to block Bingham’s name from appearing on the paperwork. His cousin’s wife, Wendy John, is the county recorder.

John is represented by Mesa lawyer William R. Richardson.