Jeff DeWit, the chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, has announced his resignation following a tumultuous scandal involving an audio recording that surfaced suggesting he tried to persuade former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake out of politics. DailyMail.com released the recording Tuesday, showcasing a conversation between DeWit and Lake.
In the recording, DeWit appears to ask, "Just say, is there a number at which," prompting Lake to question, "I can be bought? That's what it's about." DeWit then seemingly suggests she could take a pause. According to Arizona's Family, the Lake campaign responded to DeWit's departure by stating, "the tape speaks for itself" and denied allegations of threatening or blackmailing him. Senior advisors Caroline Wren and Garrett Ventry emphasized that the Arizona GOP is likely relieved by his resignation so they can pursue "ethical leadership and win big in 2024."
DeWit asserts that his comments were taken out of context and the recording was selectively edited, a claim he reiterated in a statement where he expresses regret over his words but also accuses Lake of setting him up. He mentions, "I believe she orchestrated this entire situation to have control over the state party," as per 12 News. DeWit alluded to a fear of a second, more damaging recording which he claims he's unaware of its contents, prompting his ultimate decision to step down.
His resignation statement, as posted by 12 News, reads, "I am resigning as Lake requested, in the hope that she will honor her commitment to cease her attacks, allowing me to return to the business sector—a field I find much more logical and prefer over politics." DeWit, who had roles in both the 2016 Trump campaign and his administration, expressed his continued support for President Trump and the aims of the GOP to regain the White House in the upcoming election cycle.
