Mark Brnovich, the former attorney general of Arizona, has passed away at the age of 59 following a heart attack on Monday. This news was confirmed by family representative Katie Conner on Tuesday. Brnovich played a prominent role during the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, as Arizona emerged as a focal point in the national conversation regarding election fraud claims put forth by then-President Donald Trump and his allies.
Brnovich’s legal career spanned various positions, including judge, prosecutor, and lawyer. He also served as the director of the Arizona Department of Gaming. Former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, a Republican, reflected on Brnovich’s dedication to the law, emphasizing his commitment to justice and support for victims. Ducey noted Brnovich’s infectious humor, positivity, and “happy warrior spirit” in a tribute posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
At the time of his death, Brnovich was serving his second term as Arizona's attorney general, overseeing an investigation into the 2020 election. This election marked a significant turn, as Joe Biden won Arizona, thus contributing to Trump’s loss in the presidential race. In April 2022, Brnovich released an interim report that outlined his concerns regarding certain election procedures but failed to provide any substantial evidence of significant fraud, despite months of investigation.
During this period, Brnovich was campaigning for the Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat and faced considerable pressure from Trump. The former president criticized him for not doing enough concerning the alleged election fraud and withheld an endorsement that Brnovich was eager to secure. Upon taking office, current Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that Brnovich had suppressed findings that indicated the fairness and accuracy of the 2020 election conducted by election officials.
Mayes disclosed documents showing that Brnovich had withheld a memo refuting various election conspiracy theories, which included claims about deceased or duplicate voters, foreign interference through pre-marked ballots, and even absurd allegations regarding satellite manipulation by the Italian military. Following this revelation, Mayes expressed her sadness over Brnovich’s unexpected death, acknowledging his long-standing dedication to public service and extending condolences to his family.
In the past election cycle, Brnovich lost the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in 2021. He had previously characterized himself as the son of immigrants from Yugoslavia, who had fled from communism. During his campaign, he asserted that he used his position as attorney general to combat “crony capitalists” and government overreach while championing religious liberty, border security, and election integrity.
In a final twist, in April 2023, Trump nominated Brnovich to serve as ambassador to Serbia; however, this nomination was withdrawn in October of the same year. Brnovich’s career has been marked by significant activities in public service, legal controversies surrounding the 2020 election, and his quest for political office, all of which cemented his role in Arizona's political landscape.
