Arizona Republican Party Chair Resigns Amidst Bribery Scandal

Arizona Republican Party Chair Jeff DeWit has resigned after leaked audio emerged, allegedly showing him offering a bribe to former TV news anchor and U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake to stay out of the 2024 Senate race. The audio, leaked by the Daily Mail, reveals DeWit telling Lake that ‘very powerful’ individuals were willing to financially support her if she refrained from running for office for two years. Lake, however, rejected the offer and publicly called for DeWit’s immediate resignation.

Reacting to the leaked audio, Lake described it as ‘reprehensible’ and criticized DeWit’s unethical behavior. She called for his resignation, stating that the party needs someone of integrity to lead it. Hours after Lake’s comments, DeWit announced his resignation, although he claimed that the audio was ‘selectively edited’ and accused Lake of orchestrating the situation to gain control over the party.

Lake denies providing the audio to the media, indicating that someone she knows had access to it. She mentioned having a strained relationship with DeWit since the conversation took place over ten months ago. The incident occurred while she was packing for the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland. Onstage at CPAC, Lake publicly alleged that she had been bribed not to run, without naming DeWit at the time.

Kari Lake, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, gained political prominence after a successful career as a TV news anchor. She ran as the Republican nominee for governor in 2022 but lost to Democrat Katie Hobbs. DeWit, a former state treasurer, served as chair of Trump’s 2016 Arizona presidential campaign. He held several positions during Trump’s administration, including NASA‘s chief financial officer.

Despite endorsing DeWit for party chair, Lake expressed doubts about his loyalty to Trump. She claims to have heard other recordings where DeWit expressed support for DeSantis, suggesting that he may not truly be a Trump supporter. In his resignation announcement, DeWit reassured his allegiance to Trump, while also raising concerns about Lake’s allegedly deceptive methods and habit of secretly recording personal conversations.

The leaked audio controversy comes just days before two major events in Phoenix: Trump’s appearance at the American Dream City Rally and the Arizona GOP state meeting. The content of the audio, including talk of influential people and companies attempting to keep Lake out of the Senate race, has left many questioning the integrity of party politics.