Ducey says he ‘will accept the results’ in presidential race — but only when lawsuits are over

Gov. Doug Ducey will accept the outcome of the presidential race only after all related lawsuits are resolved, he said during his first post-election appearance Wednesday.

“There are legal claims that are being challenged in court, and everybody on the ballot has certain access, rights and remedies,” he said. “Once those are adjudicated and the process plays out, I will accept the results.”

the governor [would not] explicitly reject conspiracy theories about election fraud that continue to circulate despite being repeatedly debunked, saying only that he had not personally seen “any widespread fraud or irregularity.”

“I’ve heard about it, but I’ve not seen it,” Ducey said.

It’s unclear whether Ducey’s political ambitions are affecting his current strategy.

Leading up to the election, progressive and conservative groups alike had skewered the governor for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, sending his approval rating plummeting and feeding speculation that he would jump ship for a Washington, D.C., cabinet position if President Trump won reelection.

During his last Arizona visit before Election Day, Trump made it clear he was expecting Ducey to deliver him the battleground state’s 11 electoral votes.

“I hear we’re doing well, Doug,” Trump told him during a Bullhead City rally. “I’m going to be so angry, Doug, if we don’t get there.”

More From azcentral: