The Arizona GOP has chosen State Sen. Jake Hoffman, a “fake elector” accused of attempting to overturn President Joe Biden’s 2020 win in Arizona, as a national committeeman for the Republican National Committee. Hoffman, who was indicted along with 17 others, including Mark Meadows and Rudy Giuliani, was elected to the RNC post alongside former State Rep. Liz Harris, who was expelled for questioning the validity of Biden’s victory. Hoffman expressed his gratitude for the appointment, stating that the RNC plays a crucial role in supporting Republican activists fighting against the Democrats.
Hoffman had sent a letter in January 2021 urging Vice President Mike Pence to delay the counting of Arizona’s electors and seek clarification from the state legislature on the correct slate of electors. He was one of the 11 “alternate electors” involved in the scheme. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, accused the defendants, including Hoffman, of deceiving the citizens of Arizona and attempting to influence Pence to reject Biden’s electors. The selection of Hoffman and Harris, who have both been involved in promoting election denialism, highlights the transformation of the Arizona GOP in recent years.
In addition to Hoffman, former State Rep. Liz Harris was also elected as a national committeewoman by the Arizona GOP. Harris had been expelled from the Legislature for inviting an election denier to testify at a legislative hearing on elections. The witness made unsubstantiated claims, including allegations of bribery by a Mexican drug cartel and the control of government agencies by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Harris was found to have committed disorderly behavior and damage to the House’s institutional integrity, leading to her removal from office.
Republican strategist Barrett Marson described Hoffman and Harris as leaders in the movement of election denialism and suggested that their appointments reflect the Arizona GOP’s current focus on this issue. The selections were seen as a sign that election denialism and loyalty to it have become prevalent within the state Republican Party in Arizona. The Arizona GOP did not offer any immediate comment on the appointments of Hoffman and Harris, which have sparked controversy and criticism due to their involvement in attempting to undermine the legitimacy of the 2020 election.
The choice of Hoffman and Harris for top positions within the Arizona GOP has raised concerns about the party’s direction and values, as both individuals have been involved in spreading baseless conspiracy theories and promoting election denialism. Critics argue that their election to key roles within the party is a reflection of the Republican Party’s shift towards extreme positions and a departure from traditional conservative values. The controversy surrounding the appointments of Hoffman and Harris highlights the ongoing debate within the GOP about the future direction of the party and the extent to which it is willing to embrace conspiracy theories and undermine democratic institutions. Ultimately, the selections of Hoffman and Harris for national RNC positions serve as a stark reminder of the divisions and challenges facing the Republican Party in Arizona and across the country.
