Gina Swoboda Secures Another Term as Arizona GOP Chair

Incumbent chair Gina Swoboda successfully defended her position against former Rep. Cory McGarr in the Republican Party of Arizona’s chair race held on Saturday. Swoboda triumphed by 220 votes, securing 978 votes compared to McGarr’s 758 out of a total of 1,736 ballots cast.

Swoboda, who previously served as a senior elections advisor to the Senate, took over as chair in 2024 following the resignation of Jeff DeWit. DeWit stepped down after a leaked recording suggested he had discouraged U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake from running, allegedly at the behest of individuals “back east.”

Under Swoboda’s leadership, the Arizona GOP increased its representation in the state legislature, adding two seats in the House and one in the Senate. The party also achieved a significant margin for President Donald Trump in the state, along with raising $20 million, with 71% allocated for direct voter outreach.

Swoboda has received endorsements from Trump in both her initial bid and for her recent reelection, garnering further backing from various lawmakers. However, McGarr posed a notable challenge, being a former LD17 representative who lost his seat to Democrat Kevin Volk in the 2024 election.

McGarr’s campaign for chair attracted support from notable figures including Kari Lake and Sen. Jake Hoffman. In his speech, he characterized the current leadership as failing to effectively manage the party, mentioning grievances about the establishment’s influence.

He expressed a desire to reclaim the party from “establishment control,” emphasizing a need for greater support for conservative candidates. Conversely, Swoboda focused on her accomplishments and the need for experienced leadership, asserting that party power resides with the state committeemen and grassroots supporters.

Swoboda’s reelection came alongside the appointment of Mohave County Supervisor Ron Gould as treasurer and former Maricopa County School Superintendent candidate Nickie Kelley as secretary. This statutory meeting served as a precursor to the 2026 election cycle, raising anticipation about future candidate dynamics.

In noteworthy announcements, Congressman Andy Biggs declared his intention to run for governor during the session, promising to “Make Arizona Great Again.” He lightened the mood by engaging the audience with a poll about getting a haircut while rallying support for his campaign.

Biggs is expected to contend with Karrin Taylor Robson, who has yet to formally announce her candidacy but already enjoys Trump’s endorsement and backing from a supportive PAC named Building a Better Arizona.