Intraparty fighting is a cause for concern among leaders in the Arizona GOP as the annual meeting approaches. Leaders of both moderate and conservative factions are hopeful the rift can narrow in time for the State Annual meeting scheduled for January 25th.
With the meeting fast approaching, it is unclear what can be done, but efforts are underway to bring leaders from both sides together in order to begin the 2020 cycle united.
At the center of the most recent controversy is the decision by AZGOP Chair Kelly Ward to dismiss the work of the Resolution Committee headed up by former State Senator Russell Pearce. Pearce and others had been appointed by Ward to the Committee and later had to be released when it was realized that the State Party Chairman was not allowed to appoint extra members to the Committee.
Ward, who won her chairmanship thanks to conservatives, has been struggling on the fundraising front like many of the conservative chairmen prior to her. As a result, according to inside sources, she is increasingly beholden to establishment insiders like Republican National Committeeman Bruce Ash and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey.
Both Pearce and Ash are seen by many as divisive characters by many on opposite sides of the conservative / establishment battle lines, so the current battle seems destined to heat up rather than cool down. Still, Party members are looking to Ward to work with Pearce to fashion a solution that will allow the resolutions the Committee crafted to be considered and voted on during the Annual Meeting.
The popular Republican website, MCRC Briefs, has published both Ward’s email to Pearce in which she expresses concerns about the work of Pearce’s committee work, and his response to her:
Russell and Mike –
Please call me to discuss these potential resolutions that have the potential to make the party look foolish and not united. The titles are even inflammatory. What time can you talk?
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF GOD’S PLAN OF TWO GENDERS
* Concern: more than half of GOP primary voters in AZ support gay rights; this would put the party out of touch with our own voters.
COMPLYING WITH AZ CONSTITUTION ENGLISH AS ARIZONA’S OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
* Concern: resolution asks the state to stop providing customer service in languages other than English; this would directly contradict Gov. Ducey’s customer-service focus and impede our ability to provide state service to those in need.
CONDEMNING ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS
* Concern: condemning the Regents who are appointed by Gov. Ducey would create unnecessary intraparty tension at a time when we need a unified front as the GOP, probably also not helpful with Regent Karrin Taylor Robson who is such a supporter of Pres. Trump.
RED FLAG CONFISCATION SCHEMES AND ATTACKS ON OUR GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS
* Concern: this opposes a signature policy of Gov. Ducey’s that is popular with a majority of voters, would create unnecessary intraparty tension at a time when we need a unified front as the GOP.
VAXXER
* Concern: most people are pro-vaccine and anti-measles; again, concern is that this divides rather than unites us as a party.
Warmly,
KelliDr. Kelli Ward
Chairman
Republican Party of Arizona
@KelliWardAZSent from my iPhone
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Russell Pearce Contradicts AZGOP Chairman’s Statement: Editor’s Note: (Pearce’s comments underlined in italics.) “This is Kelli Ward’s email to me the night the Resolution Committee (RC) was meeting on the resolutions – Dec. 18th, just as we were meeting on the legally submitted resolutions. These are core values of this party and why I am a member. Because we stand for something, such as the rule of law, moral values, our divinely written constitution, the right to be heard and speak out to our party, our freedoms clearly outlined in our constitution and bill of rights. The state committeemen have a right to be heard, vote their conscience on these issues and work together on protecting our freedoms and our founding principles and republic. Our elected are supposed to work for us, we do not work for them.”
Kelly Ward’s e-mail to Russell and Mike Shaw: Please call me to discuss these potential resolutions that have the potential to make the party look foolish and not united. The titles are even inflammatory. What time can you talk?
- RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF GOD’S PLAN OF TWO GENDERS * Concern: more than half of GOP primary voters in AZ support gay rights; this would put the party out of touch with our own voters. (So now god’s plan inflammatory and divisive in our party)
- COMPLYING WITH AZ CONSTITUTION ENGLISH AS ARIZONA’S OFFICIAL LANGUAGE(Inflammatory and divisive to whom? Passed by 75% if voters * Concern: resolution asks the state to stop providing customer service in languages other than English; this would directly contradict Gov. Ducey’s customer-service focus and impede our ability to provide state service to those in need.
- CONDEMNING ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS (They broke the law and cost taxpayers millions: and violated Prop. 300 (passed by 73% of Arizona voters): Inflammatory and divisive to whom?* Concern: condemning the Regents who are appointed by Gov. Duceywould create unnecessary intraparty tension at a time when we need a unified front as the GOP, probably also not helpful with Regent Karrin Taylor Robson who is such a supporter of Pres. Trump.
- RED FLAG CONFISCATION SCHEMES AND ATTACKS ON OUR GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS (Inflammatory and divisive to whom? Supported by an over whelming majority of Republicans *Concern: This opposes a signature policy of Gov. Ducey’s that is popular with a majority of voters, would create unnecessary intraparty tension at a time when we need a unified front as the GOP.
- VAXXER *Concern: most people are pro-vaccine and anti-measles; again, concern is that this divides rather than unites us as a party. (Inflammatory and divisive to whom? It is about parental rights.
Editor’s Note: Also see 1-10-20 Briefs 1-9-20 Briefs 1-8-19 Briefs 1-7-19 Briefs 1-6-20 Briefs
Conservatives are feeling disenfranchised and even former Ward loyalists are expressing disappointment. Writing on MCRC Briefs, Nancy Plencner, appeared to sum up their sentiments and hope for a meeting of the minds:
It seems once again the ever dysfunctional Republican Family is shooting their own instead of focusing on the goal of recruiting and electing Republicans. It was bad enough when Jonathan Lines was at the State Party and the Battle over Bylaws broke out. But, here we go again; wasting precious resources that should be directed at delivering the House of Representatives, keeping the Senate and reelecting President Trump…the national political spotlight is shining on Arizona! Really Ms. Ward, this is a pretty big stumble, you were rolling along pretty good until booting loyal Republicans off the Resolution Committee. There must have been a better way to bring the Resolution Committee into compliance other than blowing it up! From the rumble around the state it seems Governor Ducey may have called a couple of objectionable items on the Resolution list to your attention? He does seem particularly inclined to want more regulation on our Second Amendment rights which rightfully bothers Conservatives and thus their anti-Red Flag Resolution. Apparently that issue among others was just not acceptable to our Republican Governor? I hope there can be some meeting of the minds soon, its 2020 and times a wasting. Chairman Ward, you need to shake the money tree and deliver Arizona for the sake of the Country.
While the Democrats are intent on turning the state blue, grassroot Republicans are looking to Ward to assuage those seeing red over the resolution debacle. There is still time left, if adults come to the table and talk say Party insiders.