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An Arizona judge on Dec. 27 denied a request from Democrat gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs and Maricopa County to sanction Republican candidate Kari Lake and her legal team over her lawsuit challenging the results of the 2022 general election.
Judge Peter Thompson wrote that while Lake didn’t meet the burden of providing evidence of her election-related claims, her lawsuit didn’t meet the standard for imposing sanctions. Thompson, however, ruled that Lake must reimburse Hobbs $33,040 for some expenses because she didn’t win her case.
"There is no doubt that each side believes firmly in its position with great conviction," the judge ruled (pdf) on Dec. 27. "The fact that Plaintiff failed to meet the burden of clear and convincing evidence required … does not equate to a finding that her claims were, or were not, groundless and presented in bad faith. Any legal decision must be based on the law and facts rather than subjective beliefs or partisan opinions, no matter how strongly held."...