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Arizona Republican Party chair Jeff DeWit resigned from his position this week after a recording was released where he appeared to offer former Arizona gubernatorial candidate and current senate candidate Kari Lake a bribe to get her to not run for the seat.
DailyMail released a recording this week of a conversation between Senate candidate Kari Lake and Arizona Republican chair Jeff DeWit where DeWit asks Lake if there was a number that would convince her to take a pause on her run for Senate.
Lake told DeWit that there was no amount of money that would convince her to withdrawal from the race, even if she was offered a billion dollars. Lake said that the reason for her run isn’t about money but about the country.
Lake is then heard saying “I’m assuming this is our friend”. DeWit replied that it was coming from “back east”, although a name for who he was referring to was not mentioned.
DeWit warned Lake that “there are very powerful people that want to keep you out”.
“there are very powerful people that want to keep you out”
“They are going to try to have me murdered” Lake is then heard saying after calling the people that were offering money for her to withdraw from the race “corrupt”
Lake told DeWit that she was going to be “the biggest f****ing pain in these people’s a**es” and that he should go back and tell them that.
On Wednesday, DeWit resigned from his position following the leaked video.
During his statement, DeWit claimed that he was set up and accused Lake of crafting her performance to portray herself as the hero, DailyMail reported.
Photo by John Moore/Getty Images
“I said things I regret, but I realize when hearing Lake’s recording that I was set up,” DeWit said. “I believe she orchestrated this entire situation to have control over the state party, and it is obvious from the recording that she crafted her performance responses with the knowledge that she was recording it, intending to use this recording later to portray herself as a hero in her own story.”
“This morning, I was determined to fight for my position,” he continued. “However, a few hours ago, I received an ultimatum from Lake’s team: resign today or face the release of a new, more damaging recording. I am truly unsure of its contents, but considering our numerous past open conversations as friends, I have decided not to take the risk. I am resigning as Lake requested, in the hope that she will honor her commitment to cease her attacks, allowing me to return to the business sector — a field I find much more logical and prefer over politics.”
“In light of the recent revelation that Kari Lake has released a selectively edited audio recording of our private conversation, I must clearly address this deceptive tactic. The recording, from over ten months ago, is not only taken out of context but also undermines the integrity of private discussions critical for party leadership,” DeWit said.
Lake is currently running to replace Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I) and is seen as the likely Republican nominee.