Frosty Taylor, founder and editor of Arizona’s GOP tipsheet known as Republican Briefs, died in early November at age 86. The retired journalist dutifully updated the site, referred to as “Briefs” by insiders, almost every morning, even on weekends, up until August. John Strasser, who assisted her with the technical aspects of the site, took over for her in August, and posted a remembrance page that included statements from Republican activists who knew her well.
Taylor’s last post on the site was on September 11, which simply stated, “My husband of 68 years is the best caretaker possible.”
Taylor dug deeply into controversial topics such as infighting within the GOP. However, she always allowed commentary from both sides, and so her tipsheet was frequently full of Republican Party activists arguing back and forth, limited to 300 words, with debates on local issues that couldn’t be found anywhere else. Many readers tuned in for the epic sparring between contributors, who included plenty of regular grassroots activists, not just politicians.
Taylor made headlines at The Arizona Republic in January 2021 after a reader submitted a comment that was posted calling to hang the Maricopa County Supervisors. Taylor removed the comment after it was brought to her attention.
She kept a comprehensive, running list of upcoming conservative events around the state, invaluable for anyone looking for a group to join, their favorite speakers, or hearing from political candidates and elected officials.
For her 85th birthday, Taylor posted some of her life details, which included owning a newspaper. “I was the first female reporter in Phoenix to fly in a Phoenix police helicopter, was named an honorary Phoenix firefighter, founded a Wickenburg Republican Club, published a 500-page family recipe cookbook and a 150-page memory book for a class reunion, was Mrs. Nebraska 1964, qualified for a concealed gun permit ahead of some of the mouthy bikers in the class and eventually founded the Briefs about 15 years ago.”
For her 86th birthday, Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04) honored Taylor with birthday wishes in the Congressional Record. Even the far left Phoenix New Times gave her their “Best Republican Tip Sheet” award in 2016. The outlet said her site was a “must read” and “gold mine” for those on the right, noting that Taylor was “once the award-winning editor of the erstwhile Paradise Valley News-Progress.”
Taylor lamented that she never found the time to go to law school or obtain a pilot’s license. According to former Maricopa County GOP Chair Lyle Tuttle, a cousin of Taylor’s, she worked as a reporter for the Paradise Valley News, later becoming editor and publisher. “During that time she became the first female Honorary Firefighter on the Phoenix force. After leaving the paper, she was the spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office, and later, Arizona Fish and Game where she also served as Secretary for the ‘Black Footed Ferret’ group within Fish and Game.”
Strasser told The Arizona Sun Times that when Tuttle was chair, she would email out much of the news she heard from him, but eventually trying to email 1,000 people got complicated, so she decided to start a website. Since she never liked computers, Strasser helped her set everything up. People can subscribe to “Briefs,” as those familiar with the site call it, and Tuttle said soon her list of subscribers exceeded those of the Arizona Republican Party — even the White House subscribed.”
Strasser said as time went on, and Taylor’s health started deteriorating, she increasingly relied on him to make sure Briefs was updated. When she started posting more often that the site was not updated due to “computer issues,” it was actually because she was too ill to work at her computer.
Strasser said Taylor’s knowledge of Arizona’s political history was incredible, like “the Library of Alexandria.” He intends to keep the site very similar, including its policy of no advertising. “Think of her as truth,” he told The Sun Times.
Dave Romesburg, who runs Glendale Grassroots Tea Party with his wife Francine, told The Sun Times, “Frosty was an icon in Arizona politics and we will all feel her loss for a long time, but the mantel she created as The Republican Briefs will continue and grow under John Strassers’ leadership.”
Sue Goodchild, a longtime activist in Wickenburg and good friend of Taylor’s, said, “Frosty Taylor was a very special lady with many talents. … Frosty had many hobbies including painting and quilting. Talent was her middle name.”
Arizona Republican Party Chair Jeff DeWit said, “Frosty gave so much of her time and life, for decades, and for so many years was the leading source of information for our Precinct Committeemen.” Similarly, Phil Mason, an officer with the Arizona Republican Assembly, observed, “For nearly two decades, Frosty Taylor has been the sole daily Republican grassroots news aggregator, message board and internet news outlet.”
Taylor passed away on November 4th and leaves behind her husband Duane, two children, and several grandchildren. Her family is planning a memorial service after Thanksgiving that will likely be just for family.
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Rachel Alexander is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Rachel on Twitter / X. Email tips to [email protected].
