Democrat state Chair Bill Roe was re-elected unanimously with no opposition, while Phoenix resident and businessman Robert Graham won by a landslide to become GOP chair.
Roe pledged to build on gains Democrats made in the last year, such as sweeping all three competitive U.S. House seats and gaining seats in the state Legislature, though the party also lost coveted U.S. Senate and Maricopa County Sheriff’s races. Roe said he would work to bring the Democratic National Convention to Arizona in 2016.
The Republican election for state party chair was somewhat more contentious.
Graham, the establishment favorite, beat Scottsdale resident and grassroots organizer Doug Little.
Graham, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2010, describes himself on his website as a “conservative activist” and Arizona business leader who helped lead the fight against Proposition 121, which would have altered the state’s primary-election system.
Graham said he will focus on unifying factions and healing rivalries within the party, which has been marked with divisiveness and infighting.
