Arizona GOP chair resigns following leaked recording

Arizona GOP Chair Jeff DeWit resigned Wednesday amid controversy over a leaked audio recording in which he appeared to attempt to bribe former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake to not to run for Senate.

DeWit, who had served in the role since January 2023, said in a statement that Lake’s team had issued him an ultimatum: “resign today or face the release of a new, more damaging recording.”
“I am truly unsure of its contents, but considering our numerous past open conversations as friends, I have decided not to take the risk,” DeWit said.

According to DeWit, the recording, first reported by the Daily Mail, was selectively edited and taken out of context. DeWit explained his comments in the recording by explaining that he had been exercising his duty as party chair to “assess and enhance the viability” of GOP candidates.