In 1897, famous author Mark Twain is reported to have stated, “The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” This was in response to false rumors, published in at least one newspaper, that he had died.
In 2023, the same could be said about and by the Arizona Republican Party (AZGOP), after the release of their latest fundraising numbers.
Rumors have been swirling and a number of negative or unsubstantiated claims have been made by disgruntled part members regarding “insolvency” and “mismanagement,” including a recent mass email with the subject line: “Jeff Dewit and the AZGOP are Insolvent.”
The official word from AZGOP Chairman Jeff DeWit is that while it “takes a little while for any new Chairman and executive team to get their footing with the job and the donor base,” things are looking up for the Party. DeWit says the AZGOP’s “extensive outreach has shown the base that we are using our resources wisely and efficiently. We are building the infrastructure that will win races, and these results are proof that rank and file Republicans, as well as the donor community, are happy with what they’ve seen so far.”
The actual numbers appear to support DeWit’s claims.
The preliminary results of the 2023 third quarter (Q3 – July through September) show that “in total, the AZGOP raised $340,597 from over 2,700 individual donors, with at least one donor in each of the 50 states. This also includes $34,078.86 received in September from a joint fundraising agreement signed with the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).” Arizona is expected to have one of the most heavily contested U.S. Senate races in the country.
It can be difficult to gauge financial performance over the course of a two-year election cycle, because donations often spike during on-years (even numbered years) so comparing 2023 numbers to 2022 numbers can leave a negative impression. An apples to apples comparison of 2023 to 2019, the last odd numbered year before a presidential election year, has more good news for Arizona Republicans.
According to a press release from the AZGOP, “In that quarter of 2019, the AZGOP raised $248,120 from donations. Also, the Republican National Committee (RNC) had given the AZGOP $341,085 by the end of Q3 in 2019, helping the overall financials. Whereas, so far this year, the RNC has not sent the AZGOP any money.” That means that even with the extra help the RNC gave the State Party back in 2019, the new numbers show a 37% increase. Of great relief to party activists, the most recent quarter also represents a massive 348% increase over the second quarter of this year.
Chairman DeWit credits the hard work of the Executive Board, including Christine Ong Cothrun, Gina Swoboda, and Elijah Norton.
DeWit also credits the financial decision of the entire 82-member executive committee to invest the proceeds of the sale of the previous party headquarters into a new office. DeWit claims the new office is already generating over $10,000 per month in rental income from other Republican groups.
DeWit took a swipe at the many groups that are trying to divert party fundraising into their own efforts, noting that despite a growth in the number of “Politics for Profit” political action committees “trying to divert donor dollars to their own pockets, these latest results show that many donors understand the importance of winning Arizona and that the best way to achieve that goal is through a well-funded state party.”
“Republicans still have a problematic relationship with donors going back to Kelli Ward’s time as Chairman and the whole Kari Lake, Mark Finchem, Blake Masters disaster of 2022,” said one GOP donor who said he was encouraged by progress the party was making in terms of increasing its professionalism and focus, adding “To his credit, Jeff DeWit is gradually rebuilding the brand, and I do think that his work is getting the attention it deserves.”
Much like with Mark Twain, it appears that reports of the AZGOP’s financial death have been greatly exaggerated.