PHOENIX, Arizona – Former legislator Liz Harris, expelled in 2023, was tapped by Arizona Republican Party members to represent the Copper State as National Committeewoman at the State Delegate Convention held at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix on Saturday. Freedom Caucus Chair State Senator Jake Hoffman won the position of RNC National Committeeman. Over 1,200 elected delegates gathered to determine who would represent Arizona at the 2024 National Convention in Milwaukee.
Despite anticipated upheavals and controversial tactics on the floor, the event unfolded with minimal drama, signaling a potential move towards unity. Newly elected Chairwoman Gina Swoboda managed the proceedings, injecting humor and a distinctive quirky strength. She emphasized, “It is the body in a bottom-up organization that decides what we do,” effectively setting the tone for the convention.
The weekend gathering came on the heels of Attorney General Kris Mays indictment of 11 alternative electors, including Hoffman. The party rallied behind the state senator, with many voicing their view that the charges are an example of Democrat-driven lawfare against Republicans.
In a post-election statement on X, Senator Hoffman echoed a common convention theme, saying, in part, “The road to saving America runs through our great state.”
While Hoffman’s election was largely anticipated, Liz Harris’ victory surprised many. Grassroots activists had been quietly organizing and rallying support for weeks. Perhaps Harris’s secret weapon was her 6 AM video conference call, six days a week, attracting up to ninety attendees since the 2020 election. Her supporters, who say they identify as Pro-Trump, Pro-America First, and 100 percent grassroots (and described by others as “disrupters”) — secured 90 percent of the delegate positions for the National Convention in Milwaukee.
One attendee told The Arizona Sun Times that the party is undergoing a bottom-up rebuild.
Liz Harris shared with The Sun Times, “I love the Republican Party and despite the attacks from the opposition, there is zero intent to start another party or destroy the party from within.” She also expressed gratitude to all those who entrusted her to serve as the National Committeewoman for the next four years.
On April 7th, the popular moderate Kim Owens withdrew from the National Committeewoman race to endorse staunch conservative Kris Morrissey. Political watchers say this strategic move was aimed to prevent a vote split between Owens and Morrissey, which could have cleared the way for Harris. Ultimately, however, it was not enough to overcome the will of the grassroots.
Jennifer Esposito, a state delegate and candidate for Mohave County Supervisor was thrilled at the outcome because she helped to rally many to vote for Harris. She told The Sun Times, “The grassroots were motivated to right a grievous wrong and elevate Liz Harris to a more prominent and powerful position of National Committeewoman yesterday. I am proud to have traveled such a great distance to cast what was arguably a decisive vote for her.”
A potential conflict was resolved diplomatically when the body favored playing a prerecorded message by President Trump. The contention was because Trump mentioned Senatorial Candidate Kari Lake by name, and many in the Arizona Republican Party have been protective of Sheriff Mark Lamb, who is running against Lake.
A representative from the Lamb campaign stated that the Sheriff had no issue with playing the video and fully supported President Trump. In a gesture of fairness, Chairwoman Swoboda offered two minutes to Sheriff Lamb to speak to the body, which he chose not to use. Nicole Wilkinson, wife of the Chairman of the Yuma GOP, told the The Sun Times that Sheriff Lamb’s integrity was evident in his response to the video.
Yesterday offered a hopeful sign that Arizona Republicans might achieve unity. Emphasizing this theme, U.S. Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL-19) addressed attendees at lunch, calling it time for Arizonans to settle “family business.” He encouraged the moderate “McCain wing” of the party to reunite with the rest.
His speech, which received a standing ovation, urged all factions of the party to come together. “If we are going to win Arizona,” Donalds declared, “it’s time for all parts of our party to come home.”
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Christy Kelly is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Christy on Twitter / X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Gina Swoboda and the Arizona Republican Party” by Jennifer Leslie.
Editor’s note: Arizona Sun Times reporter Christy Kelly is State Delegate for the 2024 Arizona Republican State Convention.
