Arizona GOP Chair Resigns Amid Alleged Attempt to Sway Senate Candidate

The Arizona Republican Party Chair, Jeff DeWit, resigned following the release of a secretly recorded conversation where he appears to offer deals to Senate candidate Kari Lake to stay out of the race. The 10-minute audio, published by the Daily Mail, suggests financial compensation or placement on a company payroll in exchange for Lake delaying her candidacy. While such actions aren’t illegal, it raises ethical concerns.

DeWit expressed concerns about Lake’s fundraising ability and doubts about former President Trump’s chances of winning again, indirectly questioning Lake’s electability. Despite this, he emphasized discretion, stating, “This conversation never happened.”

In response, DeWit accused Lake of being the source and claimed the recording was selectively edited. He insisted it was a friendly suggestion for Lake to focus on a gubernatorial run in 2026. DeWit questioned Lake’s trustworthiness, implying she may have more secret recordings.

Lake, denying being the source, called for DeWit’s resignation, deeming the audio “reprehensible.” DeWit, facing an ultimatum from Lake, chose to resign. The leak comes before a crucial Arizona GOP event with Trump as the headliner.

The party now needs to find a successor for DeWit, whose tenure was marked by financial struggles. Kari Lake remains a leading candidate for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate, having secured Trump’s endorsement.

Correction: Kari Lake ran for governor in 2022, not 2024, as initially stated.