Arizona
Trump endorses ally for AZ Republican Party chair after Jeff DeWit resigns over Kari Lake tape
What to know about E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuits against Donald Trump
E. Jean Carroll, a former advice columnist, alleges former President Donald Trump sexually assaulted her. Here’s what to know about the case.
On a day when Donald Trump was told he had to pay $83.3 million to a woman for defaming her, the former president took time to endorse one of his former campaign officials for chair of the Arizona Republican Party.
He picked Gina Swoboda, a conservative election activist and former Trump campaign official who is a current officer in the state GOP.
The nod to Arizona politics as the federal jury award came down in New York shows both how important the state is to Trump’s 2024 presidential hopes and how Trump felt he needed to quickly straighten out the mess caused by the Kari Lake-caused resignation of the former chair, Jeff DeWit.
DeWit resigned Wednesday after Lake, the Trump-endorsed candidate running for U.S. Senate in Arizona, released an audio recording she had made of DeWit telling her that “powerful people” wanted to give her a lucrative job in exchange for halting her Senate campaign. Though Lake secretly recorded the conversation in March, she released the recording days before the annual state Republican Party meeting on Saturday, creating a rush of candidates for the chair job.
Trump canceled his attendance at the state GOP’s planned FreedomFest rally after DeWit’s resignation, which led the party to cancel the rally. State party officials, including DeWit, had counted on the rally to help raise money.
Trump’s spokespeople said he had a court hearing on Friday and couldn’t make the event. Trump attended closing arguments on Friday, though he walked out briefly as plaintiff E. Jean Carroll’s lawyer was speaking. A jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $83.3 million in damages for defaming her in 2019 after she accused him of rape.
Former president loses lawsuit: Trump hit with $83.3 million in damages for defaming E. Jean Carroll
Trump’s campaign team said in a statement he spoke with Swoboda on Friday.
“Gina is a strong fighter for election integrity and will be relentless in her work to deliver Arizona for President Trump and Kari Lake in 2024,” the statement said.
Lake soon followed by also endorsing Swoboda.
Not filling the position immediately would mean a 45-day delay, because the party’s bylaws require that amount of time to arrange a special election meeting. That’s a long time in an election year when every month counts. Putting a poor fundraiser in the job could be an even worse move for the party.
‘Betrayal’: Arizona GOP Chair Jeff DeWit resigns after recording of ‘offer’ to Kari Lake
DeWit was elected last year as the state GOP faced a financial disaster some blamed on former party Chair Kelli Ward.
The unpaid job is primarily about raising as much money as possible for elections up and down the ballot, said Barrett Marson, a Republican political consultant.
“A problem with taking out Jeff DeWit is, who do you replace him with that can raise money and lead the party in an election year?” Marson said. “A Trump-endorsed chair could be good for fundraising. The Republican National Committee will likely funnel a lot of money to the Arizona GOP.”
But Marson said he’s not familiar with Swoboda’s fundraising ability.
Swoboda does have experience in helping Trump find suspected election fraud. As executive director of the Voter Reference Foundation, a subsidiary of the nonprofit Restoration Action Inc., she pushes the idea that elections aren’t secure and mailed ballots aren’t to be trusted.
The company has been accused in articles by OpenSecret.org of disseminating false claims about voting discrepancies, but the company says on its website its goals are to increase voter participation and ensure elections are “transparent, accurate and fair.”
Swoboda worked last year as the state Senate’s adviser on election matters and also worked as “election integrity director” for Lake’s failed 2022 gubernatorial campaign.
‘Disgusting’: Kari Lake assails former AZ GOP boss Jeff DeWit, doesn’t say why she released ‘bribe’ recording
Reach the reporter at rstern@arizonarepublic.com or 480-276-3237. Follow him on X @raystern.
Arizona
WATCH: How Helping One Woman provides hope and support with ‘Girl’s Night Out’
PEORIA, AZ — What if a simple dinner could help someone rebuild their life? In Peoria, a local chapter of Helping One Woman is doing just that by gathering once a month for a “Girls Night Out” with a powerful purpose.
Each month, women in the community nominate someone facing an unimaginable challenge: the loss of a spouse or child, a cancer diagnosis, or another life-altering hardship. That woman becomes the evening’s honoree.
At the dinner, attendees each contribute at least $10 and take part in raffles supported by local businesses. By the end of the night, the funds raised are gifted directly to the recipient to help with expenses during a difficult time.
But organizers say the money is only part of the impact. The room full of encouragement, hugs, and shared support can be just as powerful.
ABC15’s Cameron Polom talked with the Peoria chapter president and two women whose lives were changed thanks to the group’s generosity. See the full Uplifting Arizona story in the video player above.
See more from Uplifting Arizona:
Arizona
What have the Cardinals done in NFL free agency? – Arizona Sports
The NFL’s legal tampering window is officially open, and it didn’t take long for the Arizona Cardinals to get in the mix.
A running list of the new names and familiar faces coming to Arizona in 2026:
New names on Cardinals roster this free agency
Kendrick Bourne
The former San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots wide receiver brings another body to Arizona’s wide receivers room that includes Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr.
He’s got plenty of familiarity with new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur from their time together in San Francisco (2017-20). Bourne also spent a year with expected Cardinals starter Jacoby Brissett in 2024 with the Patriots.
The wide receiver caught 37 passes for 551 yards in 16 games played (eight starts) last year.
He’s now on board for two years in Arizona.
Isaac Seumalo
The guard spent the past three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a seven-season stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.
He’s started 104 out of 125 games played and has spent time at both left and right guard during his NFL career.
According to Next Gen Stats, the guard allowed a 3.7% pressure rate last year. That was the lowest rate among all eligible guards in 2025.
Gardner Minshew
Minshew agreed to terms on a one-year deal on Monday.
He’s expected to back up expected starter Jacoby Brissett in 2026, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.
Coming off his seventh NFL season and first with the Kansas City Chiefs, Minshew appeared in four games (one start) last year. He completed 46.2% of his throws for 37 yards and an interception.
Before landing with the Chiefs, Minshew spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders (2024), Indianapolis Colts (2023), Philadelphia Eagles (2021-22) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2019-20).
RB Tyler Allgeier
Allgeier comes over to Arizona on a reported two-year contract.
Before agreeing to terms on the $12.25 million deal with Arizona on Monday, Allgeier played four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.
He ran for 514 yards and eight touchdowns on 143 carries last year, while adding another 14 catches for 96 yards.
While he worked mostly behind Bijan Robinson the past three years, Allgeier did surpass the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie in 2022.
Familiar faces
L.J. Collier
Collier is back on a one-year deal.
The defensive lineman appeared in four games in 2025 due to a knee injury suffered in Week 2.
He recorded six tackles and two QB hits in what was his third season with the team.
Roy Lopez
After a one-year stint with the Detroit Lions, Lopez is back with his hometown team on a reported two-year deal.
In 17 games played last year, he recorded two sacks, four tackles for loss and a pass defensed.
Before his time in Detroit, Lopez spent two seasons with Arizona from 2023-24. During that span, he registered a sack, six tackles for loss, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in 30 games played (21 starts).
K Chad Ryland
Ryland is back on a one-year deal, the team announced.
Ryland went through plenty of struggles last season after a having a career year in 2024. His accuracy dropped from 87.5% in 2024 to 75.8% last season. He was especially inconsistent from 40 yards and on, compiling a 13-of-20 mark (65%). Inside 40 yards, though, Ryland was 12-of-13 (92.3%).
Arizona brought in kicker Josh Karty late in the year (more on him later), but Ryland never gave up his role and appeared in all 17 games.
A one-year deal isn’t going to break the bank by any means.
P Blake Gillikin
The Cardinals must feel pretty good about where Gillikin is at in his recovering from a back injury last year with their signing of the punter to a one-year deal.
Before he went down five games into the season, the punter was leading the league in yards per punt with 51.7.
Not only that, across his five seasons (65 games) in the NFL, he holds the all-time record for yards per punt at 48.5.
Staying healthy is key for Gillikin, who also missed time in 2024 due to an ankle injury.
RB James Conner
Technically not a free agent, Conner was a potential cut candidate given his contract.
But after reportedly revising his deal, Conner is returning for his sixth season with the Cardinals.
The running back brings plenty of leadership and a bruising running style to the mix.
He’s coming off an abbreviated 2025 (three games) due to an ankle injury but had rushed for a pair of 1,000-yard seasons the two years prior. He scored at least seven rushing touchdowns each season from 2022-24.
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
Much like Conner, Murphy-Bunting was another prime cut candidate due to his contract but reportedly revised his deal with Arizona as well.
Murphy-Bunting has a lot to prove after missing all of 2025 due to an injury suffered away from the team facility.
In his first season with the Cardinals, the cornerback recorded 52 tackles, three interceptions, five passes defensed and two forced fumbles across 15 starts.
Arizona
Arizona’s Jaden Bradley named Big 12 men’s basketball player of year
Arizona Duke and Michigan lead race for top seeds in March Madness
Arizona, Duke, and Michigan hold strong as top contenders for men’s March Madness number one seeds with UConn and Houston battling for the final spot.
The Arizona men’s basketball team went 29-2 overall and 16-2 in the Big 12, winning the conference’s regular season title.
The Wildcats were rewarded for their dominance in the Big 12’s men’s basketball awards, which were announced on March 9.
Arizona’s Jaden Bradley was named the Big 12 Player of the Year, while Tobe Awaka earned the conference’s Sixth Man of the Year award and coach Tommy Lloyd earned Coach of the Year accolades.
Bradley averaged 13.4 points and 4.6 assists. Awaka was the nation’s leading rebounder off the bench, averaging 9.7 rebounds and 9.9 points when entering the game as a reserve. Lloyd led Arizona to its first Big 12 regular-season title.
Arizona State was completely shut out of the awards, with Moe Odum not receiving honorable mention honors despite averaging 17.1 points per game and 5.9 assists per game for the Sun Devils.
2026 Phillips 66 All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball Awards
- Player of the Year: Jaden Bradley, Arizona
- Defensive Player of the Year: Flory Bidunga, Kansas
- Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
- Freshman of the Year: AJ Dybantsa, BYU
- Newcomer of the Year: Melvin Council Jr., Kansas
- Sixth Man Award: Tobe Awaka, Arizona*
- Most Improved: Christian Anderson, Texas Tech
- Coach of the Year: Tommy Lloyd, Arizona
All-Big 12 First Team
- Jaden Bradley, Arizona
- Brayden Burries, Arizona
- Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
- AJ Dybantsa, BYU*
- Emanuel Sharp, Houston
- Kingston Flemings, Houston*
- Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State
- Flory Bidunga, Kansas
- Christian Anderson, Texas Tech
- JT Toppin, Texas Tech*
All-Big 12 Second Team
- Richie Saunders, BYU
- Baba Miller, Cincinnati
- Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
- Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State
- Darryn Peterson, Kansas
All-Big 12 Third Team
- Koa Peat, Arizona
- Cameron Carr, Baylor
- Rob Wright, BYU
- Themus Fulks, UCF
- Xavier Edmonds, TCU
All-Big 12 Honorable Mention:
- Arizona: Tobe Awaka
- Baylor: Tounde Yessoufou
- Cincinnati: Moustapha Thiam
- Colorado: Isaiah Johnson
- Houston: Joseph Tugler, Milos Uzan
- Kansas: Melvin Council Jr.
- Kansas State: PJ Haggerty
- Oklahoma State: Parsa Fallah
- TCU: David Punch
- Texas Tech: Donovan Atwell
- West Virginia: Honor Huff
- Utah: Terrence Brown
All-Defensive Team
- Jaden Bradley, Arizona
- Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
- Emanuel Sharp, Houston
- Joseph Tugler, Houston
- Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
- Flory Bidunga, Kansas*
A tie resulted in an extra position on the team
All-Freshman Team
- Brayden Burries, Arizona*
- Koa Peat, Arizona
- AJ Dybantsa, BYU*
- Kingston Flemings, Houston*
- Darryn Peterson, Kansas*
All-Newcomer Team
- Cameron Carr, Baylor
- Themus Fulks, UCF
- Baba Miller, Cincinnati
- Melvin Council Jr., Kansas
- Donovan Atwell, Texas Tech
*- unanimous selection
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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