Arizona Republican Party presidential candidate Jeff DeWit speaks during the Arizona Republican Party Convention at Dream City Church on Saturday, January 28, 2022 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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The Arizona GOP chairman resigned Wednesday after the release of an audio tape in which he is heard offering Lake Karitop Trump ally and Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Arizona, lucrative job opportunities for a two-year hiatus from politics.
“He needs to step down. We can’t have someone corrupt and compromised running the Republican Party,” Lake told NBC News on Tuesday, referring to the state presidency. Jeff DeWitt.
DeWit did not respond to a request for comment, but posted one letter to X saying he resigned “as Lake requested” — while also claiming he had threatened to release another incriminating tape if he didn’t resign.
“This morning, I was determined to fight for my position. However, a few hours ago I received an ultimatum from Lake’s team: resign or face the release of a new, more damaging recording,” his statement read. “I’m not really sure of its content, but considering our numerous past open conversations as friends, I’ve decided not to take the risk. I’m resigning as Lake requested,” he added.
A Lake spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on DeWit’s allegations. Lake posted on X that she would be answering questions about the “bribery scandal” on the social media platform Rumble at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday.
In the previously released audio of the March 2023 conversation between DeWit and Lake published online by Garret Lewis, a conservative talk show host in Arizona, the chair is heard telling Lake, “There are very powerful people who want to keep you out.” “They’re willing to put their money where their mouth is to a very large extent,” DeWit continued, calling it an “incredible opportunity.”
Former Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake announces her candidacy for US Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) at JetSet Magazine on October 10, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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“They” are never identified, except as “people returning to the east.” Lake said, “That’s crazy. They should want me. I’m a great candidate, people love me.”
The conversation between Lake and DeWitt, whom Lake had supported as president, came months after her lost the 20222 governor’s race to Democrat Katie Hobbs. 2020 presidential election denierLake claimed she won the gubernatorial election and sued to reverse the results. The suit was he was fired in May last year.
DeWit is a former Arizona state treasurer who led Trump’s 2016 Arizona campaign and was chief operating officer of his 2020 campaign.
In the conversation with Lake, DeWit can be heard saying the unknown individuals “want you out for two years…want you on their team.”
Lake tells him, “I’m not going to let these people in DC tell me not to run.”
DeWit then asks, “Is there a number that…” “Could I be bought?” Lake asks. “No.”
He told DeWit, “it’s about getting Trump out. It’s about De Sandys in,” and “I’m with Trump.”
DeWit pushed her to at least quote a price.
“Actually I’d just like you to give me a big counteroffer. Give me a bench,” he said.
“I can’t be bought,” she replied.
In his letter, DeWit said Lake had released a “selectively edited recording of our private conversation” that she made while working at DeWit’s company. “I truly believed I was offering a helpful perspective to someone I considered a friend,” he wrote.
DeWit said Lake had made it her “mission to destroy me” after a conversation in which he advised her to end her Senate campaign to focus on another run for governor. Lake officially declared her campaign for the Senate in October.
It’s unclear why the audio was released now, but the Arizona GOP is holding its annual meeting in Phoenix on Saturday.
National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Steve Daines said he knew nothing about the recording.
“I just saw the report on that,” the Montana senator said, but “I didn’t hear it.”
Asked about DeWit’s claim that people “back east” wanted her out of the race, Daines said, “Look, I think Kari Lake is a great candidate and she’s going to win this race in Arizona.”