Arizona GOP elects new party chair in north Scottsdale

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) — The Arizona Republican Party has a new leader after its previous chair, Jeff DeWit, resigned after audio of a meeting between him and former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake was leaked to a British tabloid. The meeting took place at Dream City Church’s Scottsdale campus near Cave Creek Road and Sweetwater Avenue.

During the Arizona GOP’s meeting, where members vote on this year’s agenda for the state party, Gina Swoboda was made the new party chair. “We proudly present our new Chairwoman, Gina Swoboda, alongside the dynamic new AZGOP Board!” the party said on its social media.

Swoboda was endorsed by former President Donald J. Trump. Lake, who was shocked when the crowd booed her at the meeting, also endorsed Swoboda. Prior to her new position, Swoboda was the third vice chair of the party.

“Arizona is the key to the presidency,” she said on social media. “was proud to have the support of President Trump in this victory to lead the AZGOP into the most important election of our lifetime. Now it’s time to turn out every last vote for the 47th President, DONALD J TRUMP!”

Besides electing a new party chair, members voted on their agenda for 2024. Votes that include the party support a hardline stance against any vaccine mandate or lockdown, like what happened in 2020 under then-President Trump, whose administration created the lockdown guidelines. Members also considered party resolutions on election ballots, with many still believing the conspiracy theory that elections where a Republican candidate lost were due to widespread fraud and opposing any legislation or citizen initiative supporting abortion.

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