Some Republicans want to bypass state party over concerns about its chairwoman
Arizona Republicans are discussing whether to shift who oversees money raised for the 2020 election as competitive presidential and Senate contests loom, reports The Wall Street Journal.
Politicians and consultants are discussing whether they can bypass the Arizona Republican Party, given concerns about the ability of chairwoman Kelli Ward, a vocal Trump ally and frequent source of controversy, to court donors and register voters, sources tell the Journal.
Concerns over the Arizona Republican Party’s fundraising capabilities flared in recent weeks after it reported raising about $89,000 in the first quarter of 2019, down from roughly $347,000 in the first quarter of 2017, according to the Federal Election Commission. The Arizona Democratic Party raised $292,000—more than triple the state GOP’s total—in the first quarter.
“There’s no question that Arizona is the next domino to fall” in favor of Democrats, said Jim Messina, former President Obama’s 2012 campaign manager. “The question is just when and how.”
Zach Henry, communications director for the Arizona Republican Party, told the Journalannual big fundraiser is held in the second quarter this year instead of the first quarter, which contributed to lower first-quarter figures.
Mr. Henry said that he and others in the party run by Ms. Ward have yet to see any evidence of funds bypassing the state GOP, and any such rumors are built on the false premise that the party can’t raise funds.
But some in the Arizona GOP see the numbers as a warning sign and are considering setting up a separate committee in populous Maricopa County, Yuma County or
Ms. Ward, a former state senator, was named head of the Arizona Republican Party in January. That followed a series of political losses, including in the 2018 Republican primary to Ms. McSally, who lost to Ms. Sinema in the general election before her appointment to the open seat.
The 2020 Senate race will pit GOP incumbent Martha McSally against Democrat Mark Kelly. Rick Gorka, an RNC spokesman, said it has a great working relationship with the Arizona Republican Party, emphasizing how important the state is both to Mr. Trump’s re-election and Ms. McSally’s Senate race. “We’ll be devoting a considerable amount of resources to make sure both things happen,” he added.
