Az GOP Senator Wendy Rogers Faces Backlash for Endorsing Cottonwood Candidate Using State Resources

Flagstaff Republican State Senator Wendy Rogers is under scrutiny for potentially violating Arizona’s version of the Hatch Act. This law prohibits government resources from being used for political campaigning. Rogers published an endorsement letter for Cottonwood City Council candidate Lisa DuVernay on official Senate letterhead.

In a now-deleted post on X, formerly Twitter, Rogers declared, “The swamp comes after her, yet SHE STANDS STRONG!” This endorsement comes as DuVernay faces a recall election. Rogers described DuVernay as a warrior for rural Arizona cities, emphasizing the need for strong advocates.

The controversial post included a screenshot of an endorsement letter in which Rogers stated her “wholehearted” support for DuVernay. Arizona law prohibits state lawmakers from using any government time, funds, or resources for campaigns. Attorney Tom Ryan labeled Rogers’ actions as a “clear cut violation” of this law, which mirrors a federal statute restricting political activities by government employees.

Ryan noted that the use of official state materials, including the Senate seal, gives the erroneous impression that the entire Senate endorses DuVernay’s campaign. After inquiries from the Arizona Mirror regarding the post, it was deleted from X, and similar posts on Facebook, Telegram, and Gab also vanished swiftly.

DuVernay acknowledged Rogers on X for her support in the now-removed post, yet both Rogers and Senate President Warren Petersen did not respond to requests for comment. The Attorney General’s Office, responsible for investigating such matters, refrained from discussing the situation publicly.

Richie Taylor, a spokesperson for Attorney General Kris Mayes, indicated that he could not comment on potential investigations. The situation surrounding DuVernay is complicated; she is facing a recall due to an incident where she displayed alleged pornographic material at a city council meeting to criticize drag shows. Additionally, she has threatened legal action against city officials to prohibit drag performances, despite previous ordinance rejections.

Rogers highlighted DuVernay’s stance against drag shows in her endorsement letter. “Councilmember DuVernay stands for the people. She is an unflinching, courageous and stalwart defender of freedom,” Rogers asserted, calling for her reelection.

In response to Rogers’ actions, Senate Democrats have formally requested Attorney General Mayes to investigate. Their letter interpreted the use of state resources, including Senate letterhead and state seals, as inappropriate and potentially harmful to the Senate’s reputation.

They pointed out the need for accountability, urging a thorough examination of how the endorsement letter was crafted and disseminated. This incident follows a similar controversy in 2022 when then-Senate President Karen Fann was criticized for promoting Kari Lake’s gubernatorial campaign using Senate resources.

In 2019, the Attorney General’s Office penalized 28 public officials for infractions involving the misuse of government resources, specifically linked to campaigning against a clean-energy ballot measure in 2018. The implications of these actions continue to resonate within Arizona’s political landscape.