Latest news with #RobertBranscomb
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arizona Democratic Party ousts chairperson after short but tumultuous tenure
The Brief Arizona Democrats have removed state party chair Robert Branscomb from the post. The removal took place on July 16. A leadership election will reportedly take place in September. PHOENIX - Members of the Arizona Democratic Party have ousted their chairperson, just six months after he started in the position. What we know Per reports from the Associated Press, Robert Branscomb was removed from his now-former post as party chair on July 16, and the removal was supported by two-thirds of the Democratic Party activists who make up the state committee. The backstory Per a statement issued by the Arizona Democrats on January 21, Branscomb was elected on Jan. 18 as the 2025-2026 party chair. At the time, party officials said Branscomb, who served as a vice chair for the party during the 2023-2024 cycle and was a state party delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, "brings over three decades of experience in corporate management, small business ownership, and public service." Party officials also said at the time that Branscomb was the first African American to hold the post of state party chair in Arizona. Per AP's story on Branscomb's removal, Branscomb's election as party chair was considered an upset, and following his election, most of the senior staff was fired by Branscomb. The AP also reported that in April, Branscomb sent a letter to members of the state committee that criticized Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. The letter, according to Utah-based news outlet Deseret News, alleged that the two senators "interfered with and intimidated the chairman over staffing decisions." Per the AP, both Kelly and Gallego, along with Gov. Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Attorney General Kris Mayes, responded with a letter that states they have lost trust in Branscomb. The other side Branscomb has reportedly suggested that racism played a role in his removal. What's next Per the AP, Kim Khoury will take over as party leader until a new chair is elected. In a post made to social media about Khoury's selection as interim leader, Maricopa County Democratic Party officials state that the leadership election will take place in September.
4 days ago
- Politics
Arizona Democrats oust embattled chair amid party turmoil
PHOENIX -- Arizona Democrats ousted their embattled chairman six months into a tumultuous tenure that prompted top elected officials and national fundraising committees to sideline the state party ahead of the midterms. Robert Branscomb's removal late Wednesday was supported by two-thirds of the Democratic activists who make up the state committee. Party disarray threatens to complicate Democrats' efforts to hold on to a decade of successes in a state long dominated by Republicans. Arizona has no Senate contest next year but will have at least two battleground U.S. House races, and the campaigns for governor, other top state offices and legislature could dictate how Arizona handles the 2028 presidential election. Branscomb took over the party in an upset election in January, when Democrats declined to re-elect former Chair Yolanda Bejarano following party's disastrous performance in the 2024 election. Branscomb promptly fired most of the senior staff. Behind-the-scenes tension exploded into public view in April. Branscromb sent a letter to members of the state Democratic committee blasting Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, a highly unusual move against the state's top Democrats. Kelly and Gallego — along with the governor, secretary of state and attorney general — responded with their own letter saying they'd lost trust in Branscomb. Last month, the party's treasurer warned that Branscomb was spending more money than he was raising and the party was on track to go broke by the end of the year. Branscomb was Arizona's first Black Democratic Party chair, and he has blamed to push against him in part on racial animus. He said Thursday that he was held to a higher standard than his predecessors and was pushed out in a 'coup' before he had time to implement changes or explain his side of the story. 'I was trying to make my way there, but I guess change is hard for some people,' Branscomb said. Gov. Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Attorney General Kris Mayes — Democrats who all are seeking second terms next year — announced this month that they will outsource grassroots organizing to a small county organization rather than the Arizona Democratic Party.
Toronto Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Arizona Democrats oust embattled chair amid party turmoil
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Democrats ousted their embattled chairman six months into a tumultuous tenure that prompted top elected officials and national fundraising committees to sideline the state party ahead of the midterms. Robert Branscomb's removal late Wednesday was supported by two-thirds of the Democratic activists who make up the state committee.
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Arizona Democrats oust embattled chair amid party turmoil
PHOENIX — Arizona Democrats ousted their embattled chairman six months into a tumultuous tenure that prompted top elected officials and national fundraising committees to sideline the state party ahead of the midterms. Robert Branscomb's removal late Wednesday was supported by two-thirds of the Democratic activists who make up the state committee.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Arizona Democrats oust embattled chair amid party turmoil
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Democrats ousted their embattled chairman six months into a tumultuous tenure that prompted top elected officials and national fundraising committees to sideline the state party ahead of the midterms. Robert Branscomb's removal late Wednesday was supported by two-thirds of the Democratic activists who make up the state committee. Party disarray threatens to complicate Democrats' efforts to hold on to a decade of successes in a state long dominated by Republicans. Arizona has no Senate contest next year but will have at least two battleground U.S. House races, and the campaigns for governor, other top state offices and legislature could dictate how Arizona handles the 2028 presidential election. Branscomb took over the party in an upset election in January, when Democrats declined to re-elect former Chair Yolanda Bejarano following party's disastrous performance in the 2024 election. Branscomb promptly fired most of the senior staff. Behind-the-scenes tension exploded into public view in April. Branscromb sent a letter to members of the state Democratic committee blasting Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, a highly unusual move against the state's top Democrats. Kelly and Gallego — along with the governor, secretary of state and attorney general — responded with their own letter saying they'd lost trust in Branscomb. Last month, the party's treasurer warned that Branscomb was spending more money than he was raising and the party was on track to go broke by the end of the year. Branscomb was Arizona's first Black Democratic Party chair, and he has blamed to push against him in part on racial animus. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday's vote. Gov. Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Attorney General Kris Mayes — Democrats who all are seeking second terms next year — announced this month that they will outsource grassroots organizing to a small county organization rather than the Arizona Democratic Party. First Vice Chair Kim Khoury will lead the party until a new chair is elected.
