AZGOP Chair Accused of Congressional Run Gets ‘Loomer-ed’

Arizona GOP chairwoman Gina Swoboda became the center of a political firestorm last week following the announcement of Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ01) vacating his congressional seat to run for Governor.

With word spreading of a fundraising reception for Swoboda in Scottsdale, speculation ran rife that the AZGOP Chair was angling to run for Schweikert’s seat. Combined with investigative reporting from Laura Loomer and accusations from Republican State Senator Jake Hoffman, the situation quickly spiraled.

The first indications of her potential run for Congress came from Loomer, who shared a flier for a reception for Swoboda to be held on October 9 in Scottsdale.

In a post on X, Loomer revealed: “It appears that @GinaSwoboda is trying to run for Congress as well. How is she raising money if she hasn’t filed? Looks like she’s trying to find a way to get out of her position as Arizona GOP Chairwoman early by either running for Congress in Arizona or getting a job in the Trump admin. What is this “reception” for, Gina?”

Loomer also suggested that Kari Lake, the acting-CEO of the US Agency for Global Media, is eyeing a run for Congress. 

It appears that .@GinaSwoboda is trying to run for Congress as well.

How is she raising money if she hasn’t filed?

Looks like she’s trying to find a way to get out of her position as Arizona GOP Chairwoman early by either running for Congress in Arizona or getting a job in… https://t.co/uFbRwep0Kq pic.twitter.com/6rdz10potr

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) October 5, 2025

Loomer also shared a video of Swoboda on KTAR News’ Outspoke with Bruce St. James and Larry Gaydos, in which she described third-party organizations wearing the AZGOP “like a skin-suit,” which the hosts identified as Turning Point USA. Swoboda didn’t deny this, but rather thanked them and quipped: “Hashtag: Justsayin’.” 

Sources tell me Arizona GOP Chairwoman @GinaSwoboda is trying to get a job in the Trump administration.

During her time as Chairwoman, she has a record of working against MAGA grassroots activists, and oddly, she spends her time going on podcasts badmouthing @TPUSA, an Arizona… pic.twitter.com/Kh385p5E9G

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) October 5, 2025

Barrett Marson, the CEO of a Phoenix-based PR agency, Marson Media, also asked in a post to X, “She’s running! But for what?”

On October 7, Arizona State Senator Jake Hoffman (R-LD-15) lobbed a massive series of accusations at the AZGOP Chair via X citing Loomer’s reporting. “Too bad for Gina, I have the receipts,” Hoffman wrote.

Hoffman alleged that the reception invitation’s landing page “clearly says ‘Paid for by Gina Swoboda for Congress.”

When Gina Swoboda’s “reception” (aka: fundraiser) was exposed by @LauraLoomer, Gina and her allies tried to dismiss it as “rumor”, “false” and “lies” Too bad for Gina, I have the receipts. 

The disclaimer on the reception landing page clearly says “Paid for by Gina Swoboda for Congress” 

Gina Swoboda coaxed David Schweikert into exiting his re-election in an attempt to derail Andy Biggs’ incredible momentum. Gina Swoboda’s consultant tried to “cut a deal” with KTR to get her to clear the field for Schweikert (sounds a lot like what got Jeff DeWit in hot water!) 

Schweikert was the only Republican capable of winning CD-1 and holding the congressional majority for President Trump. 

Thanks to Gina Swoboda’s scheme to get Schweikert out of the CD-1 race, the district is now largely considered to be unwinnable for any Republican other than a unicorn conservative with celebrity appeal. 

Making the whole situation worse, we now know that Gina Swoboda’s entire scheme was designed to clear the CD-1 field for her own congressional run!

In a subsequent post the next day, Hoffman broadened his accusations against the AZGOP Chair, suggesting an issue with her employment by the AZ Senate and House leadership respectively, saying:

AZGOP Chair Gina Swoboda’s contract was not renewed at the AZ Senate, where she made $17,500 per month for a VERY part-time gig (2 to 2.25 days per week!)

Now she’s a W2 employee of @SteveMontenegro’s House, making $160k per year + benefits ($200-220k+ total comp).

House members say she’s still never at the Capitol. What the hell is she getting paid all that tax money for? No one knows.

Steve Montenegro has some serious questions to answer. This wreaks(sic) of Steve & Gina trading favors (quid pro quo?)”

Speaking with AZCentral in February 2024, State Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14) ardently defended Swoboda and his decision to hire her, citing her tremendous election experience and tenure as a senior policy adviser. “The organization seems to have a different view about how many people feel about her,” Petersen told reporters. “She’s got a lot of election expertise.”

Swoboda seemingly dismissed the rumors of her congressional run on KTAR News’ The Right to Disagree, flippantly saying, “I just got Loomer-ed!”’

Lake also dismissed the notion of her congressional run, telling California Globe via text, “I am 100% focused on my job working for the Trump administration, overseeing an agency.”

California Globe has reached out to Speaker Steve Montenegro for comment regarding the nature of Swoboda’s alleged employment by the AZ House GOP; however, a response was not received by the time of publishing.