Arizona Republican Party (AZGOP) Chair Kelli Ward is not running for a third term, and six candidates have announced they are running to replace her. At least 63 more candidates are running for other positions in the AZGOP, which will be decided in an election at the annual statutory meeting on January 28, 2023. The candidates for chair are Sheila Muehling, Jeff DeWit, Steve Daniels, Dan Farley, Vera Gebran, and Lori Ann Martinez.
Ward told The Arizona Sun Times she is supporting DeWit.
“He had the political experience, the leadership skills, and the conservative values to run this organization in amazing fashion,” Ward said. “Add to that the vast knowledge, experience, grace, and grit of Pam Kirby as Treasurer and this will be a formidable America First GOP that will win 2024.”
Muehling is the current AZGOP treasurer; she is a general contractor and interior designer. In a statement posted on Republican Briefs, she said in part, “It is my opinion, over the past 10 years, that the Republican Party of Arizona has become an ineffective organization that needs to be taken apart and reassembled, as we prepare to win the 2024 general election. … Since becoming involved in Arizona politics 21 years ago, I noticed a serious overall lack of fundamental knowledge about the structure of the RPAZ among PC’s, LD leaders, especially treasurers — all the way up to the county chair level.”
DeWit is a former state treasurer and CFO of NASA. He served as the Arizona chair of Donald Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign. DeWit also served as a precinct committeeman (PC), state committeeman and was appointed by the AZGOP chair to serve on the party’s Redistricting Committee. He said he didn’t run for reelection as state treasurer because he disliked established politicians’ “favor-factory” mentality. A source with knowledge of the intra-party workings told The Sun Times that he is the leading candidate.
Daniels’ website says he will “Elon Musk the AzGOP.” He is president of the Patriot Party, a PAC, but he said his focus is on the Republican Party. He is championing election integrity and getting good candidates chosen in the primaries. He organized a recall of former House Speaker Rusty Bowers (R-Mesa).
Daniels tweeted, “Elect me as AZ GOP Chair. If the Republicans of Arizona aren’t smart enough to do that, I don’t think we have any other avenues. They have ONE last chance.”
We do. Elect me as AZ GOP Chair.
If the Republicans of Arizona aren't smart enough to do that, I don't think we have any other avenues.
They have ONE last chance.
— realSteveDaniels (@StevenTylerAZ) December 26, 2022
Farley is the chair of Legislative District (LD) 4 and a PC, the leader of numerous tea party groups, and known for his vast PC recruitment. He came under fire this fall for a scuffle with Maricopa County Member-at-Large Brian Ference. Farley posted a series of tweets this month expressing skepticism regarding some of those seeking leadership, “They don’t want an AZGOP based upon the merit of their individual contributions for the party or a measurement of the selflessness & unity/collaboration for the cause with a track record of success for the party, or the merit of ideas & debate to prevail,” he said.
Gebran is an immigrant from Lebanon who came to the U.S. for “opportunity, safety, and freedom.” Her platform includes “Unity, Transparency, Empower and Mobilize ‘We The People.’” She ran unsuccessfully for State House this year, where she was endorsed by Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio, and radio talk show host Seth Leibsohn among others.
The Sun Times could not find any information about Martinez.
Michal Ann Joyner, Christine Ong, and Lori Bango are running for secretary. Joyner is the first vice president of Palo Verde Republican Women and retired from the mortgage industry. Ong is a real estate agent and serves on the board of directors for the Arizona Life Coalition. Bango is the chair of LD 28, a realtor, and a worship leader.
Pam Kirby and Elijah Norton are running for treasurer. Kirby is the current executive director of the AZGOP. She served on the Latinos for Trump advisory board, Paradise Valley Town Council, Scottsdale Unified School District board, and heads the Arizona Coalition for schools. Norton unsuccessfully challenged Representative David Schweikert (R-AZ-01) in the primary this year. He founded RED Auto Protection, a vehicle service contract company and Veritas Global Protection Services, a global vehicle insurance company.
Gail Golec, Penny Pew, and Peter Anello are running for sergeant at arms. Golec unsuccessfully challenged Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin this year, and was endorsed for that race by former President Donald Trump and My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell. She is an entrepreneur who owned and operated an IT company and serves as a PC. Pew is the district director for Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04), and previously served as elections director for Apache County. The Sun Times could not find any information about Anello.
There are three slots available per congressional district for the members-at-large positions. According to Republican Briefs, these are the candidates running.
Congressional District 1
- Yvonne Cahill
- Janet Mohr
- Allen Skillicorn
- Brett Mecum
- Michele Swinick
- Merissa Hamilton
- John Nanni
- Lucy Digrazia
Congressional District 2
- Elizabeth Kennedy
- Steve Zipperman
- Lois Fruhwirth
Congressional District 3
- Cheryl Rosado
- Robyn Cushman
- Jeremiah Cota
Congressional District 4
- Diane Ortiz-Parsons
- Ian Murray
- Kelly Cooper
- Patricia Porter
- Joe Neglia
- Mary Ann Mendoza
Congressional District 5
- Shelli Boggs
- Darrell Covert
- Nancy Cottle
- Katelyn Ward
Congressional District 6
- Cheryl Caswell
- Nancy Hawkins
- Martina Romero
- Susan Marcell
- Sherrylyn Young
- Robert “Bob” Dohse
- Christine Bauserman
- Irene Lavor
Congressional District 7
- Deborah McEwen
- Anthony Sizer
- Gary Garcia Snyder
- David Lara
Congressional District 8
- Anthony Kern
- Glenn W. Reinier
- Christian Lamar
- Al Field
Congressional District 9
- Ted Boyd
- Anna Camacho
- Timothy F. Griepp
- Austin Smith
- Johnny Vincent Melton
The Sun Times could not locate 11 more candidates reportedly running. The AZGOP officer positions are unpaid, but employee positions such as executive director and communications director, which are not up for election but are determined later by the chair, are salaried. The Maricopa County Republican Committee is holding its annual election on January 24, 2023, featuring an “America First” slate of candidates versus an “Arizona First” slate. America Pack is putting on a forum for candidates running for both AZGOP and MCRC on January 6, 2023.
– – –
Rachel Alexander is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Rachel on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Arizona Capitol” by Wars. CC BY-SA 3.0.
