In a repudiation of the Republican establishment, Dr Kelli Ward has won re-election as Chair of the Arizona GOP, after being endorsed by President Trump.
Ward was re-elected to the position for another two years at the annual Arizona GOP State Committee meeting in Phoenix on Saturday. Speaking to the crowd, Ward told the meeting that they needed to help elect America First Republicans in Arizona, rather than carry on with the politics of the past.
Ward faced off against three challengers for her second term as chair: Sergio Arellano, Bob Lettieri, and Ann Niemann. In the first round of voting, Ward came in a strong first place with 46%, Arellano received 26%, Lettieri received 24%, and Niemann got 3%. With the voting then going to a second round, Lettieri endorsed Arellano in his challenge of Ward.
Lettieri (24%) endorses Arellano (26%) in the runoff against Ward (46%).
— Ronald J. Hansen (@ronaldjhansen) January 23, 2021
Democracy rules! #AZGOPMeeting pic.twitter.com/88Uv02WlrU
— Arizona Republican Party (@AZGOP) January 23, 2021
Second ballot! #AZGOPMeeting
— Arizona Republican Party (@AZGOP) January 23, 2021
However, in what amounts to a serious repudiation of the Republican establishment, Ward was re-elected after the second round of voting, winning 51.5% of the vote to 48.5% against Arellano.
NEW: Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward wins her re-election 51.5%-48.5%.
— Alex Salvi (@alexsalvinews) January 23, 2021
Ward was endorsed for her position by President Trump, who spoke to the meeting in a pre-recorded audio message.
“Hello Arizona, this is President Donald Trump, and I need you to help us with somebody that’s really worked hard and done a great job, that’s Kelli Ward,” President Trump began, in his first remarks since the end of his first term.
It is such an honor to have President Donald Trump’s total & complete endorsement as I run for re-election as @AZGOP Chairwoman! 🇺🇸#Humbled #Blessed #AmericaFirst pic.twitter.com/y8U2ZcepjL
— Dr. Kelli Ward 🇺🇸 (@kelliwardaz) January 23, 2021
“She’s running to be re-elected as the Republican chair of the Arizona Republican Party,” said President Trump. “She is a terrific person, she is a person I know, she’s somebody that, you’ll never find anybody more dedicated to every aspect of what we’re all dedicated to.”
During the meeting, Representative Paul Gosar had defended the Stop the Steal movement, chiding establishment Republicans and Democrats for attempting to erase 75 millions Americans’s right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.
