Arizona Representative David Burnell Smith has been ordered to leave office for overspending public campaign limits by more that $6,000 by the state's Citizens Clean Elections Commission.

• Position: People & Politics - Brief Article

Arizona Representative David Burnell Smith has been ordered to leave office for overspending public campaign limits by more that $6,000 by the state's Citizens Clean Elections Commission. The unanimous vote reportedly marks the first time a lawmaker has been ousted from office anywhere in the United States for violating a publicly financed election. The commission ordered Smith to repay $34,625 in public campaign funds and to pay a $10,000 fine. Smith says he will appeal to an administrative law judge, challenging the constitutional authority of an appointed commission to overturn an election. Arizona law requires that anyone who overspends the...