Arizona’s Republican Party has appointed Gina Swoboda as a new chair following Jeff DeWit’s sudden resignation.
DeWit’s Resignation
DeWit stepped down on Wednesday amid controversy surrounding a leaked recording that appeared to show him offering financial incentives to staunch MAGA supporter Kari Lake in exchange for her temporary exit from politics.
Boos and Jeers
Kari Lake put forward Swoboda for the chair position at a party meeting in north Phoenix. Swoboda, a conservative and Trump endorsee, was greeted with boos and jeers upon her appearance.
Resounding Victory
However, this opposition did not deter Swoboda from securing 67% of the votes on Saturday, resulting in a resounding victory in the party chair election.
Vote Delayed
The vote was postponed due to an extensive debate concerning a motion to prohibit the utilization of electronic tabulators, which were viewed with suspicion by many election critics within the party, for the purpose of counting the ballots.
Bridging Gap in Arizona GOP
Swoboda was regarded as a reliable and seasoned operator capable of bridging the gap between devoted Trump supporters and longstanding Republicans in Arizona. Many of the latter were initially drawn into the party by the late Senator John McCain.
“A Grassroots Hero”
Lake congratulated Swoboda and hailed the “massive victory” for both her campaign and Trump’s.
She said, “Gina is a national leader in election law. She is a grassroots hero … is battle tested and a woman of great integrity.”
Swoboda’s Background
GiSwoboda, now at the helm of Arizona’s GOP, has previously managed election-day operations for Trump’s campaign in the state and leads the nonprofit Voter Reference Foundation. Her organization has been criticized for propagating unfounded allegations about election integrity.
Scandalous Resignation
The controversy surrounding Jeff DeWit intensified after the Daily Mail released an audio recording. In this recording, DeWit seemed to suggest financial incentives to Lake to dissuade her from contesting in the upcoming Senate race. Lake rebuffed these propositions, stating, “That would be immoral.”
Leak Conversation Allegation
Following his resignation, DeWit accused Lake of editing and leaking the conversation. He explained that his resignation stemmed from Lake’s threat to unveil a second potentially damaging recording if he did not step down.
Threats Denial
In response, Garrett Ventry and Caroline Wren, Lake’s senior advisers, issued a statement asserting that nobody from Lake’s campaign had made any threats or engaged in blackmail against DeWit.
“Corrupt and Compromised”
While Ms. Lake neither confirmed nor denied her involvement in the leaked recording, she strongly urged Mr. DeWit to resign from his party position once the recording became public, branding him as “corrupt and compromised.”
Failed Legal Battle
At the time of the recording in March last year, Lake was simultaneously involved in an unsuccessful legal battle to contest her defeat in the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial race while preparing for her U.S. Senate campaign.
Rightward Shift in Arizona
The election of Swoboda as Arizona’s GOP chair indicates a move towards a more extreme right-wing stance in a state known for its tight political contests between Democrats and Republicans.
Trump-Backed Lake
Kari Lake, backed by Trump, is a leading contender for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in Arizona. She will likely compete against Democrat Representative Ruben Gallego in the general elections.
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