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GOP governor Doug Ducey admits he ignored Donald Trump's call during event to certify Joe Biden's Arizona win

Trump expressed his displeasure with the governor after he certified the win of Biden and Democrat Mark Kelly even though they shared a rapport earlier

President Donald Trump’s continued objection to the results of the 2020 presidential poll has started bringing back humiliating returns, even from his own party. Even as he is striving to overturn the results of the polls that saw Democratic Joe Biden winning by a good margin, Arizona’s GOP Governor Doug Ducey said on Wednesday, December 2, that he ignored a call from the commander-in-chief from the White House on Monday, November 30, when the state results were officially certified.

The 56-year-old Ducey, who has been in office since 2015, told reporters during an interview that it was Trump on the phone when he silenced the call since he was in the middle of signing papers certifying the results in the Grand Canyon State that went to the blue party after a gap of 24 years. Trump lost the key state with 11 electoral votes. 

Ducey said he called the president back after the event concluded but repeatedly refused to divulge details of the conversation with Trump. He said the president never asked him not to sign the certification of his state’s election. 

“I’ve got a relationship with the president, and when there’s a need in Arizona, I talk to him directly," Ducey said in July, adding that he "had to change the ringtone that it rings 'Hail to the Chief' because ... I didn’t want to miss another call from the White House."

“So I was at a public ceremony doing an official act so regardless of who was calling I was not going to answer the phone at that moment. But immediately after the event I called back to the White House and it was the president,” Ducey said. “The President has got an inquisitive mind. And when he calls he’s always got a lot of questions, and I give him honest answers, direct feedback and my opinion when it’s necessary. And that’s all I’m going to say about it.”

Trump has expressed his displeasure with the election outcome in Arizona and even blasted his party colleague and even supported those who accused Ducey of betraying the people of Arizona. Trump also alleged that the Republican governor rushed to put a Democrat in office after Ducey certified Biden’s win and announced that he will sign documents to ensure Democratic Senator-elect Mark Kelly is sworn in “as swiftly as possible”. Trump said the “Republicans will long remember” Ducey. 

Ducey also responded to the allegations on Twitter in which he vouched for the integrity of Arizona’s election and said the law requires him to certify the result. 

Ducey responds

In a series of posts, Ducey said Arizona has some strong election laws that “prioritize accountability and clearly lay out procedures for conducting, canvassing, and even contesting the results of an election.” He also said: “The problems that exist in other states simply don’t apply here. I’ve also said all along, I’m going to follow the law. So here’s what the law says…” “It requires the Secretary of State, in the presence of the Governor and the Attorney General, to canvass the election on the fourth Monday following the general election. That was today.”

“This can ONLY be delayed if counties DECLINE to certify their results. ALL 15 counties in Arizona — counties run by both parties — certified their results,” he said in another tweet. “The canvass of the election triggers a 5-day window for any elector to bring a credible challenge to the election results in court. If you want to contest the results, now is the time. Bring your challenges,” he said. “That’s the law. I’ve sworn an oath to uphold it, and I take my responsibility seriously,” Ducey added.

Trump-Ducey relation worsens

Trump and Ducey have historically shared a cordial relationship with both praising each other’s leadership, particularly in times of the Covid-19 pandemic that have wreaked havoc in the country, including Arizona. Though the friendship was less visible in the beginning with Ducey largely remaining on the sidelines during the Republican primary of 2016 and did not appear publicly with the businessman-politician till he secured the GOP nomination. It was after the president endorsed Ducey for his re-election bid in 2018 and praised him for doing “a great job” that the bond grew stronger. 

In August the same year, Trump tweeted endorsing Ducey: “Doug is strong on Crime, the Border, and our Second Amendment. Loves our Military & our Vets. He has my full and complete Endorsement.” The governor acknowledged the favor saying in a statement he was “very grateful to have the support”.

In 2019, Trump invited Ducey to the White House and sat next to him during a meeting with many other governors. On that occasion, too, he praised Ducey saying the latter was doing a “fantastic job in a fabulous state”. Ducey was also seen attending Trump’s re-election campaign rallies in Arizona and acting on the president’s calls to ease pandemic-time restrictions.