PHOENIX – Arizona Republicans are blasting their former chair, Gina Swoboda for what they say are “sour grape rants” against conservatives and Turning Point just days ahead of the 2026 General Election.
On X.com, Swaboda took swipes at Turning Point-backed candidates in two interviews published five days before the November 3 midterms, drawing a sharp response from Turning Point Action Chief Operating Officer Tyler Bowyer over the organization’s voter turnout efforts.
Swoboda questioned Turning Point’s candidate recruitment, spending priorities, and influence within the Republican Party in interviews published October 29 by Phoenix New Times and Politico.
Its candidates “lose over and over and over again, and they will lose on Tuesday,” Swoboda told Phoenix New Times. “They are not the reason Trump won. Trump is the reason Trump won.”
Among her criticisms was Turning Point Action’s activity in Legislative District 3, a Republican stronghold encompassing parts of North Scottsdale. Swoboda argued that donors were financing efforts to advance Freedom Caucus-aligned candidates in safe legislative districts rather than competing for swing seats.
Bowyer responded on X on October 30 that the organization’s work in the area also served a congressional race.
Swoboda was “wondering why we are chasing ballots in LD3 where AZ has a Congressional Race to win,” Bowyer wrote.
Gina is a self-absorbed, bloviating, low-grade politician who does little to help the movement
She has used the AZGOP to prop herself up & isn’t even good at it with her anti-Trump consultant
Huge embarrassment.
She should have already resigned if she wants to run for office. https://t.co/6UihdunvFw
— Tyler Bowyer (@tylerbowyer) October 25, 2025
He also criticized her fundraising and decision to switch from a congressional campaign to the secretary of state race, writing that she “doesn’t know anything about donors because she couldn’t raise money for her two failed races this cycle.”
Swoboda’s criticism extended beyond spending decisions. She described Turning Point’s brand as “toxic” and accused the organization of placing control over candidates ahead of winning seats.
They are not the reason Trump won. Trump is the reason Trump won,” said Gina Swoboda, former Arizona Republican Party chair and former Republican primary candidate for Arizona Secretary of State.
— Gina Swoboda (@GinaSwoboda) October 29, 2026
“They don’t give a shit about ultimately winning the seat. They give a shit about controlling the person who wins the seat. And if you can’t control them, they want to burn them to the ground,” she told New Times. “They make more money losing.”
In a separate Politico interview, Swoboda questioned whether Vice President JD Vance should rely on Turning Point Action in a future presidential campaign.
If Vance intends to run, she said, “it would be a good idea to reevaluate any thoughts he might have about utilizing Turning Point Action as his field operation.”
The exchange follows earlier disputes between Swoboda and Turning Point-aligned Republicans during her tenure leading the state party.
Swoboda won reelection as chair in January 2025, defeating former state Rep. Cory McGarr, who had support from some Turning Point-aligned activists, according to the Arizona Republic.
Later that year, her support for additional oversight of Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program prompted calls for her resignation. State Sen. Jake Hoffman and former state Rep. Liz Harris sought her removal after she discussed safeguards and audits amid reports of improper purchases, Deseret News reported.
Bowyer also called for her removal. Maricopa County Republican leaders subsequently voted to support Swoboda against the ouster effort.
Turning Point declined to comment for the New Times report. Bowyer’s subsequent post publicly challenged Swoboda’s assessment of its Arizona operation as the organization continued its final push before Election Day.
“Gina is beyond bitter,” one conservative consultant told the Arizona Daily Independent. “The members of the Republican Party have rejected her over and over again and she can’t get over it. The Democrats will never trust her and now it looks like she is a woman without a party, a job, common decency, or common sense.”
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