AZGOP Chair Polls State Committeemen on Staying in Charge for ’26 Despite Congressional Run

Arizona Republican Party Chair Gina Swoboda is surveying Maricopa County state committeemen on whether she should retain her leadership role into 2026, days after announcing her congressional bid in the state’s First Congressional District.

The anonymous JotForm survey, circulated on Wednesday and revealed by Merissa Hamilton, co-founder of Strong Communities Action-EZAZ.org, invites responses on Swoboda’s potential continued tenure ahead of the AZGOP’s January reorganization meeting. It is open to Maricopa committeemen until 3 p.m. Thursday, with county leadership set to notify Swoboda of results by 5 p.m.

🚨ATTENTION AZ GOP STATE COMMITTEEMEN

Maricopa County Committeemen received the following email.

Make sure to complete the survey by Oct. 24th so we can get rid of this swamp creature charlatan in the Chair position. pic.twitter.com/9vjd28qr1I

— Merissa Hamilton 🗳 ⛽ 🗽🔥 (@merissahamilton) October 22, 2025

In a letter to committee members preceding the form, Swoboda wrote, 

I am writing to let you know that today I announced my candidacy for the US House of Representatives in Arizona’s first Congressional District with the endorsement of President Trump. This seat is essential to maintaining the GOP majority in the House and ensuring President Trump’s work can continue unimpeded.

As you know, I proudly serve as the chairwoman of the Republican Party of Arizona at the pleasure of the state committee.

Although there is no bylaw or statutory requirement for an officer of the Republican Party of Arizona to vacate their position upon running for public office, I have always believed that decisions such as this must be made by the state committee.

Therefore, I am requesting that members of the State Committee report to their accounting chairs whether they wish to make a change in the office of the chair at our regularly scheduled mandatory meeting in January. Next line in the interim, the Republican Party of Arizona has implemented a firewall and governance agreement in order to ensure full compliance with all applicable laws.

Swoboda, who announced her candidacy Tuesday with an endorsement from President Donald Trump, emphasized that no bylaws require her to step down upon running for office. “Although there is no bylaw or statutory requirement for an officer of the Republican Party of Arizona to vacate their position upon running for public office, I have always believed that decisions such as this must be made by the State Committee,” she said.

The move has drawn immediate pushback from within party ranks.

Liz Harris, a former state representative and vocal AZGOP critic, questioned the polling process on X: “When RNC Chair Michael Whatley announced his run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, he didn’t need to poll RNC members to decide whether he should step down,” Harris posted. “Why is Gina Swoboda orchestrating a polling process of the AZGOP State Committeemen? When she steps down on Monday will she have the appearance of being a heroine?”

When RNC Chair Michael Whatley announced his run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, he didn’t need to poll RNC members to decide whether he should step down. Why is Gina Swoboda orchestrating a polling process of the AZGOP State Committeemen? When she steps down on Monday…

— Liz Harris, MBA (@LizHarrisMBA) October 23, 2025

She explained in a post on Wednesday, 

Today, state committeemen received a notice instructing us to complete a survey being collected only by county chairs as the only means for our voices to be heard. This process raises serious concerns about neutrality and integrity… particularly when it could be used to identify and “whip” votes against those who do not support Gina Swoboda. 

As the sitting AZGOP Chair and now a declared candidate for Congress, Gina should not rely on a process managed by her supporters to gauge sentiment or consolidate influence. Remaining in her current role while campaigning for Congress undermines confidence in our Party’s integrity; she should step aside to uphold the standards we expect of our leaders.

Arizona State Senator Jake Hoffman agreed with Harris on X, writing, “I concur with National Committeewoman Harris. It is irresponsible & selfish to attempt to remain in both positions Swoboda is demonstrating that she is not serious about winning CD1 — a seat that is a must hold for the GOP She needs to do the right thing & step down as chair.”

LD4 Precinct Committeeman and AZ State Committeeman @AZLD4PC echoed the sentiment in a reply. “Gina Swoboda shouldn’t need a poll. She should absolutely step down,” the committeeman wrote. “She can’t possibly focus on @AZGOP while trying to raise money for her CD1 race.”

Swoboda’s entry into the crowded Republican primary pits her against incumbents like Rep. David Schweikert and other challengers, including former NFL kicker Jay Feely, whom Turning Point USA has urged to run. The AZGOP’s January meeting will formalize officer elections, a process that could test party unity following 2024’s electoral setbacks and recent intraparty controversies.

Maricopa County, home to over half of Arizona’s registered Republicans, represents a key bloc in the state committee. Responses to the survey will likely inform Swoboda’s decision, though she has not indicated a timeline for broader polling.