This is a follow up to my first part in exploring the downfall of Republican parties in traditional battleground states, even if they no longer are. To read part one, which I strongly suggest you do, click here.
It was very surprising to me how poorly the Upper Midwest Republican state parties are. But the GOP struggles don’t stop there.
Colorado
At one point, the Colorado Republican Party was so broke that it was at serious risk of being evicted from its office headquarters. More than that, it didn’t have a single employee on payroll for April 2023. It had only raised $58,000 the first four months of last year, a truly pathetic amount of money. Finances have been so poor that for the first time since 2012, the Colorado Republican Party shook down presidential campaigns for ballot access fees at far higher rates than other states. Nevada, for example, charges $2500. South Carolina charged $20,000. Colorado, on the other hand? $40,000.
The state party wasn’t the only person to face eviction. Outgoing Congressman Ken Buck was evicted from his office because he refused to support Jim Jordan as Speaker of the House. In an ironic twist of fate, his landlord was a GOP megadonor named Martin Lind. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert was ejected from a screening of the Bettlejuice Musical in Denver in September 2023 for “causing a disturbance,” in the words of the New York Times.
The man helming the Colorado GOP, Dave Williams, has actively instigated intra-GOP conflict. One of the first things the election-denying chair did was change party nominating rules that benefit hardcore MAGA Republicans, part of which allowed the state party to attack its own nominee under certain circumstances. He even has shut down any dissenting voices and criticism within the Party or Party apparatus. For being such a MAGA disciple, he has attempted to to use Dominion voting machines for elections and did business with the People’s Republic of China.
I’m not saying that he has sold out his principles for power, but I’m just saying that if someone had sold out, they’d look very similar to Dave Williams.
Dave Williams. Photo credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Arizona
Arizona’s Republican Party is best known for the conspiracy theories and multiple recounts of the 2020 election, including the fraudulent Cyber Ninja debacle and Kari Lake’s own election denialism. Lake is now running for the Senate (again) and made these fake claims a centerpiece of her campaign once more.
Lake, ironically, is connected to the resignation of former Arizona GOP chair Jeff DeWit. He attempted to bribe her in an effort to have a stronger candidate run against Gallego in the Senate race. While DeWit appears comparatively more moderate when paired up against the new chair Gina Swoboda, don’t let that deceive you; DeWit has impeccable Trump credentials.
Like others on this list, Arizona’s Republican Party is not doing well financially. It petitioned a court to have over $27,000 in penalties, fines, and sanctions removed, claiming that the baseless election lawsuits were not made in bad faith. Five months in 2023 saw the party raise less than $100, including a pair where they raised absolutely nothing. At one point, folks thought DeWit was deliberately attempting to bankrupt the party.
Oops.
AZ Senate candidate Ruben Gallego. Photo credit: Getty/Tom Williams
More States to Fall?
While Georgia and Pennsylvania are in precarious situations, they are have yet to completely fall off a cliff. Despite their openly Hitler-quoting gubernatorial nominee, the North Carolina Republican Party overall is strong. This two-part article is by no means is an in-depth dive into every poorly-run Republican Party, just the worst ones.
In order to win the presidency again, Trump is going to have to win a couple of these states where the party is at war with itself. He’s going to have to hope Republican primary voters coalesce around him, even though plenty are still voting for Nikki Haley! I have never seen anything like that, not even the Kennedy/Carter primary of 1980.
These self-imposed handicaps are not death blows by themselves, but they are major impediments for the Trump campaign and down-ballot candidates. The DNC, DSCC, and DCCC can certainly capitalize off of this. Remember, everything is logistics: how can candidates and parties turn out voters as cheaply, effectively, and as many as possible? Is the top of the ticket a hindrance or provide coattails?
While time will tell, democracy is a verb. You are the hope you’ve been waiting for. Do not sit on the sidelines. My friends, the fate of the country is in our hands.
I just want to say thank you. On Tuesday, my subscriber list grew by 15%. A few of you became paid subscribers. In the last month, this community has grown by almost a third. I am sincerely touched and humbled. Thank you so, so much.