‘Isn’t End’ of Career in Politics, Mecham Says of Impeachment

Former Gov. Evan Mecham said Tuesday that his political fate is not sealed by the impeachment conviction that hurled him into the history books.

“Of course, this is just another chapter in a book and this book isn’t near the end,” Mecham said at his first public appearance since the Senate ousted him from office Monday.

Mecham said he was considering whether to try appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court or running in the special gubernatorial election May 17.

But chances of the high court interfering with a legislative branch decision appeared slim.

“He can certainly file papers,” said Supreme Court spokeswoman Teri House in Washington, D.C.

But House said there was no precedent of the justices taking up an impeachment appeal, and federal statutes may preclude it.

The law mandates that an appeal may be taken up only when a final judgment or decree has been rendered in the highest state court possible.

‘Doesn’t Count’

“I don’t think the Arizona Senate counts” in the legal definition of a court, House said.

As Mecham’s grinning portrait came down from Capitol walls, his successor, Secretary of State Rose Mofford, took the oath of office for a job she’s not sure will last longer than six weeks, and turmoil reigned in state government.

The Senate faced a backlog of “a couple of hundred bills,” said Minority Leader Alan Stephens, a Democrat from Phoenix. He said the Republican-controlled legislature would have to extend its session by at least a month to deal with such issues as air pollution and a $300-million budget deficit,

In response to a flurry of death threats, state police stepped up security around some of the senators who voted Mecham guilty of obstructing justice and misusing public funds in Monday’s historic decision.

Speaking of his partisans, Mecham said: “I know that they are aroused, I know that they are incensed, I know that they are right down angry.” But the 63-year-old Republican said he himself was willing to forgive--if not forget.

‘Have No Rancor’

“I have no rancor in my heart,” the former car dealer told a roomful of polite but unenthusiastic Kiwanis Club members who had invited him to their luncheon before his ousting.

“I have no announcement today of my future and what I plan to do and whether I plan to run in the recall election, and whether I plan to go to the Supreme Court and challenge the facts that the trial wasn’t really held under conditions I believe everyone has a right to expect,” Mecham said. “That will come at a later date.”

But in a rambling 20-minute speech that touched on premarital sex, gambling, tax hikes and Thomas Jefferson, Mecham concluded that his aborted term was “a year of accomplishment.”

Mofford, a Democrat, Arizona’s 18th governor and first female chief executive, told a press conference after her swearing in that she would “build an administration based on merit and professionalism.”

Mofford, 65, said she had sent termination letters effective April 15 to some members of Mecham’s staff and accepted resignations from the heads of his affirmative action and substance abuse programs.

Those fired include aides who have remained on payroll while working for Mecham in the Glendale office he referred to as his “government-in-exile.”

But Mofford acknowledged that Mecham left behind “a lot of good people” in various departments, and she said no decision would be made on their fates pending a review.

Mofford, who first came to work at the Capitol as a secretary 47 years ago, said she had “no idea” whether she will be allowed to finish out the three years of Mecham’s term.

Legal challenges loom over the gubernatorial election scheduled May 17 to recall Mecham.

Atty. Gen. Bob Corbin insisted that the election “still goes” even though Mecham is already out. However, legal challenges loomed on several fronts.

If the election stands, under state law Mofford may have to resign to run. The waters were further muddied by questions about Mecham’s eligibility to run again if he wants.

‘Dracula Clause’

When impeaching Mecham, the 30-member Senate narrowly voted down a “Dracula clause” that would have barred him from Arizona politics forever.

Corbin insisted that the impeachment itself bars Mecham from the governorship at least through the end of his term and possibly longer.

Mecham faces a criminal trial April 21 on charges of concealing a $350,000 campaign loan. He would be barred from holding office again if convicted and could go to prison for 22 years.