Arizona Conservatives Respond to Prominent Republicans Endorsing Democrats, Say They’re ‘Inconsequential Has-Beens’

Some Republicans in Arizona have publicly endorsed Democrats in this election, sparking conservative Republicans in the state to respond dismissively. A long list of “RINOs” predictably endorsed Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and now more have come out endorsing some of the other candidates running against the Trump-endorsed slate for higher offices.

State Representative Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek), who frequently receives the top rating from organizations as Arizona’s most conservative legislator, told The Arizona Sun Times, “Politics has always been an arena full of self-aggrandizing grifters. The cold reality, though, is that no one, especially not the conservative Republican electorate, cares what a tiny handful of inconsequential has-beens and establishment profiteers thinks.”

Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward agreed, telling The Sun Times she doesn’t take them seriously. “People who lost elections have donated to Democrats for years and have sour grapes about President Trump, and the people who support him and not them seem to be putting themselves ahead of voters as well as forgetting the Republican principles they claim to embrace. No self-respecting Republican could support the radical, failing direction today’s Democrat party is taking our state and nation.”

She went on, “Inflation, sky-high gas prices, unaffordable grocery bills, infringement on individual rights, high taxes, an open border, and out-of-control crime are all due to Democrats and the policies they’ve pushed in Arizona cities and towns and places all over the United States. I can’t take these self-serving ‘Republicans’ seriously and neither can the voting public. We see right through them. Arizona voters want to put Arizona and America first and they know that the only way to do that right now is to vote a solid GOP ticket in November.”

State Rep. Jacqueline Parker (R-Mesa) said  “the party needs to ignore all the RINOs that have been ousted. They failed at their job, and the people fired them, and now they are making desperate attempts to remain relevant by clinging to the only party that might still listen to them.”

Parker explained, “I would also say that Republicans who support and endorse Democrats have given up the fight for truth because it’s hard and it comes with constant attacks and lawsuits from the villains of modern politics, i.e. Democrats. Once you join the Democrat team, though, everything becomes easier: the attacks stop, money and perks come from mysterious sources, the regular laws don’t apply to you, you stop getting canceled, and then the Democrats call you brave. Republicans who betray Republican principles are cowards taking the easy route, plain and simple.”

She added, “What Democrats and RINOs are really afraid to lose when they talk about the ‘far-right MAGA’ candidates threatening our democracy are the perks and financing and special favors and protection from consequences they get from being corrupt government officials. The ‘far right’ conservatives are cleaning house and these Democrat-endorsing RINOs are seeing all their sweet insider trading opportunities slip away. What else could they do except try to jump on the Democrat train — soon to be the last avenue for elitist corruption in the U.S.”

The Maricopa County Republican Committee’s Executive Guidance Committee (MCRC EGC) voted to remove the intra-party voting rights of State Rep. Joel John (R-Buckeye) after he endorsed Democrat Adrian Fontes, the former Maricopa County Recorder and election fraud denier running for secretary of state. Fontes praised John’s endorsement in a tweet. He quoted Representative John, stating that he wants “heroes” who “stand up to do what’s right,” and denounced his opponent, State Rep. Mark Finchem (R-Oro Valley), over his election integrity efforts.

In 2022, the American Conservative Union gave John the lowest rating of any Republican in the state legislature: 71 percent. This wasn’t the first time the MCRC went after John. They censured him in January this year for opposing school voucher expansion. The legislation eventually made it into law anyway.

Fontes tweeted his thanks to former Maricopa County Supervisor Andy Kunasek and former secretary of state candidate Beau Lane for supporting him, including photos of them at one of his events. It appeared to be a very small gathering, prompting a user named BekkUhhh to tweet in response, “Looks lively.” Michael Ward, the husband of Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward, tweeted, “All 6 of you!”

Kunasek drew the ire of conservatives several years ago when he attacked former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas over their efforts to stop public corruption and illegal immigration.

Lane has contributed thousands of dollars to Democratic candidates, signed on to a letter criticizing election integrity bills, and praised a judge for siding with Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs against Republicans suing to end mail-in voting and ballot drop boxes.

Fontes’ website features a list of 34 Republicans and independents who have endorsed him. Some of the most well-known names include former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley, a Republican who has endorsed other Democrats previously, and former Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley, who assisted Kunasek going after Arpaio and Thomas. Mesa Mayor John Giles, who has also endorsed numerous Democrats including Kelly, is on the list, as is Heather Carter, a former Republican legislator who was finally voted out in 2020 during the primary due to siding frequently with Democrats.

Giles submitted an op-ed to The Deseret News this past week explaining why he supports Kelly. He said, “I cannot support election deniers” and said he’s “supporting candidates who do not pose a threat to democracy.” He said he feared “this current slate of MAGA candidates winning and enacting lasting damage on the party and nation that I love.” Both the MCRC and LD 10 censured Giles over his endorsement of Kelly. Giles also endorsed Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, who is running for governor. He spoke at one of her events.

In 2017, Mesa was named the most conservative city in the country with a population over 250,000 by Pew Research. According to Axios, Giles wants to open up the state’s closed primary elections so extremely partisan candidates aren’t elected.

Former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley, who frequently sparred with Arpaio and is known for endorsing Democrats, endorsed both Fontes and Democrat Kris Mayes, who is running for attorney general. Romley told 12 News that he was worried about democracy and denied that there was voter fraud, saying Arizona doesn’t need “crazy.”

Hobbs has a short list of Republican supporters on her website. Most of the nine are not well-known. Carter is on the list, along with two former state legislators with a long history of siding with Democrats, Deb Gullett and Susan Gerard.

Meghan McCain, daughter of the late Senator John McCain, who has a history of criticizing conservative Republicans, tweeted after Trump-endorsed Kari Lake won the Republican primary race for governor over the more moderate Karrin Taylor Robson, “I see my initial predictions were right despite the initial excitement of Robson pulling ahead — Congratulations to my home state for full making the transition to full blown MAGA/conspiracy theory/fraudster. The voters have spoken — be careful what you wish for…”

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Rachel Alexander is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Rachel on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Andy Kunasek (Left)” by Andy Kunasek. Photo “Rick Romley (Left-Center)” by Rick Romley. Photo “Beau Lane (Right-Center)” by Beau Lane. Background Photo “Arizona Capitol” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0.

 

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