Arizona Republican Lawmakers Move To Strip Powers From Democratic Secretary Of State

Republican lawmakers took the first steps Tuesday to strip Secretary of State Katie Hobbs of some of her powers.

Measures approved by both the House and Senate Appropriations committees would take away her authority to defend state election laws and give it to Attorney General Mark Brnovich. It also prevents her from being able to get legal advice from the Attorney General's Office and would remove her purview over the Capitol Museum located in the historic Capitol.

But Republican lawmakers insist it's not personal, not a power grab and not punishment for Hobbs' political stances, even though several said how unhappy they are with things she's done and the law is designed to lapse at the end of her term.

It does, however, come as relations between Democrat Hobbs and Republican Brnovich have apparently reached a new low. It was disclosed Tuesday that she has filed more than a dozen complaints against Brnovich and staffers with the State Bar of Arizona, the organization that polices attorney conduct and has the ability to punish those who violate ethical rules.

In a statement Tuesday, Hobbs said Brnovich has engaged in a "pattern of behavior'' that violates his ethical duties as an attorney.