PHOENIX — The Arizona Republian Party, reeling from statewide drubbing in a historic stronghold, chose a new leader Saturday who managed to hold together a coalition of activists from warring factions.
Jeff DeWit, the former state treasurer who worked as chief operating officer for former president Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns, was viewed by activists as a competent Republican best positioned to appease the grass roots demands for changing election rules while moving away from being focused on the 2020 contest.
His candidacy for chair got a last-minute push from Trump, whose intervention may have widened his margin over far-right activists.
DeWit’s new perch may help improve the party’s standing with local conservative donors and the Republican National Committee, which has suffered in recent years under Kelli Ward. The change in leadership comes at a pivotal moment for the newly competitive state, where Arizona Republicans will have another shot at flipping a U.S. Senate seat and will be pivotal in the electoral college.
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DeWit, 50, who entered the race in December, pledged to improve fundraising, recruit precinct committee people, stay neutral in primary races and run a transparent operation. He noted his willingness as treasurer to take on establishment party figures, like former governor Doug Ducey (R). In one-on-one calls to more conventional Republicans, DeWit cast himself as the only candidate who could move the party past the intensity of...
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