Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger declined to testify before the Georgia House of Representatives about potential fraud in the 2020 general election on Thursday. The House Governmental Affairs Committee oversaw the hearing.
Many of the claims presented during the hearing resembled those offered during the State Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing last week. The secretary of state’s office reportedly declined to attend that hearing as well.
Raffensperger hasn’t issued an explanation as to why he didn’t attend. However, Voting Systems Manager Gabriel Sterling tweeted a response to the breaking news on Wednesday of their absence at the hearing. Sterling explained that they’d been advised by legal counsel to not appear before the General Assembly.
“We were advised by our attorneys not [to] attend because of pending litigation,” he tweeted. “They invited the Giuliani team which is pushing continuing disinformation. That disinformation is endangering lives.”
We were advised by our attorneys not attend because of pending litigation. They invited the Giuliani team which is pushing continuing disinformation. That disinformation is endangering lives.
— Gabriel Sterling (@GabrielSterling) December 10, 2020
Sterling didn’t clarify what he meant by “endangering lives,” though it’s likely he was referring to his remarks during a press conference nearly two weeks ago. He mentioned that some poll workers accused of voter fraud had received death threats. It is unclear as to whether there have been additional threats reported to the secretary of state’s office since that time.
Attorney Rudy Giuliani appeared virtually for the committee hearing due to his recovery and quarantining from COVID-19.
Attorney Lin Wood tweeted the news, noting that Raffensperger couldn’t be subpoenaed unless a special session were called.
“Brad Raffensperger @GaSecofState was scheduled to appear & testify tomorrow before GA House Committee about 11/3 election fraud. He just backed out & cannot be subpoenaed unless special session is called,” Wood tweeted. “@BrianKempGA refuses to do so. How convenient. DEMAND ANSWERS Patriots.”
Brad Raffensperger @GaSecofState was scheduled to appear & testify tomorrow before GA House Committee about 11/3 election fraud.
He just backed out & cannot be subpoenaed unless special session is called. @BrianKempGA refuses to do so.
How convenient.
DEMAND ANSWERS Patriots.
— Lin Wood (@LLinWood) December 10, 2020
During the committee hearing, House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) also proposed a change to the selection process for the Georgia Secretary of State by amending the Georgia Constitution. Instead of the voters electing an individual, Ralston proposed that the General Assembly exercise that power.
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Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
