PHOENIX — A former Arizona Republican lawmaker pleaded guilty Monday to forging signatures, including a dead woman’s, on his nominating petitions in 2024, authorities announced.

Austin Smith, 30, admitted to one count of attempted fraudulent schemes and practices and one count of illegal signing of election petitions as part of a plea deal, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office said.

The conditions of the deal mean that the former lawmaker will be sentenced to probation, pay a fine of at least $5,500 and will be prohibited from running for office for five years.

Smith will be sentenced at a hearing on Jan. 6.

Why did Austin Smith forge signatures on nomination petitions?

Smith served District 29, which covers the city of Surprise and other parts of the West Valley, starting in 2023.

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