The civil war among Republicans in Arizona continued on Saturday as the dispute between those pushing conspiracy theories about election fraud continue to be criticized by mainstream conservatives.
"Arizona Republicans are poised to censure three of their own party's most high-profile members in the state: Gov. Doug Ducey, former Senator Jeff Flake and Cindy McCain, the widow of former Senator John McCain. Though largely symbolic, the political scolding that is expected during a meeting of the state G.O.P. on Saturday underscores a widening rift in Arizona between party officials who have made clear that their loyalty lies with former President Trump and those in the party who refused to support him or his effort to overturn the election results in Arizona, which President Biden won," The New York Times reported Saturday.
"The vote to censure comes two-and-a-half months after Mr. Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry Arizona in more than two decades, and only the second Democrat in 50 years. For decades, Republicans controlled both U.S. Senate seats, but lost the first in 2018 and the second last year. Mr. Ducey, who was easily re-elected in 2018, is the most prominent Republican still in office who has won statewide," the newspaper explained. "Many moderate Republican officials have dismissed the censure as a distraction, saying it will largely serve to alienate other moderates in a state where independent voters make up nearly a third of the electorate."
Arizona Republic columnist Tim Steller reported on the chaos that broke out at the meeting.
In one post-election outburst, McCarthy accused Republican Gov. Doug Ducey of working for the CIA.— Tim Steller (@Tim Steller) 1611432001.0
Now Right Side Broadcasting has been told to stop their broadcast of the @azgop meeting, so that Facebook Live link… https://t.co/SqZf8LRay5— Tim Steller (@Tim Steller) 1611432956.0
Despite the feed being cut, a capture of the video was posted to Twitter.
"Okay, everybody," I am calling for a voice of peace and calm," Arizona GOP Chair Kelli Ward told the crowd before announcing that the people complaining would be escorted out."
"This is not Republican behavior," Ward claimed, less than two weeks after the insurrection by Trump.
AZ GOP Chair Kelli Ward wins her re-election on the second ballot, she won 51.5% to 48.5%, according to spox. Ahead… https://t.co/n12xfR184r— Eliza Collins (@Eliza Collins) 1611441490.0
