by Matthew Holloway | Jul 2, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
All is not well in the Arizona Democratic Party (ADP) according to a video posted online by National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Spokesman Ben Petersen. The video appears to depict ADP Treasurer Greg Freeman excoriating State Party Chairman Robert Branscomb and calling for his ouster for “burning cash, botched fundraising & looming bankruptcy.”
Petersen described the video in a post to X as a “NEW EPISODE of @AZDemParty IN DISARRAY.” He added, “Dems’ treasurer torches party leadership for burning cash, botched fundraising & looming bankruptcy[.] ‘On pace for the worst fundraising year in the past decade[.]’ ‘The only possible outcome…is ineffectiveness or bankruptcy.’”
In a statement, Petersen called the discord shown in the video, a “stunning internal revolt,” writing, “Arizona Democrats’ stunning internal revolt exposed a party in free fall, burning cash while alienating voters. As Democrats elevate socialists as the face of their party, Republicans are passing middle class tax cuts and the biggest border security investments in generations that will directly benefit hardworking Arizonans.”
In the video, a man, appearing to be Freeman, can be heard saying, “Our fundraising has been historically poor in 2025, and we are on pace for the worst fundraising year in the past decade. As another comparison, we have raised less than 1/3 of what we raised at this point in 2021, and there is no sign of this trend changing.”
He warned, “At the current rate of spending and fundraising we will be unable to pay our staff or our mortgage or both very soon. The only possible outcome for the Arizona Democratic Party, if the chair stays in place, is ineffectiveness or bankruptcy.”
Freeman then called for the removal of Chairman Branscomb saying, “I do believe that this situation can be righted and that the relationships with our elected officials and financial partners can be mended. But those damaged relationships cannot be repaired by the same person that presided over their decline. Removing the chair is the only way.”
According to reporting posted to X by Mary Jo Pitzl of the Arizona Republic, the executive board of the Arizona Democratic Party issued a censure against Chair Branscomb as well as Executive Director Michael Ruff “based on Branscomb’s refusal to explain to the board why his staff accessed and spread the email of a board member to a ‘known political ally’ outside of official party channels.”
The email purportedly “outlined a pitch to talk to party members and persuade them that Branscomb must vacate the chairs seat” and according to the board, promoted a “false narrative.”
Brahm Resnick of 12News obtained a copy of the censure letter and posted it to X suggesting that the “Chair’s rocky tenure could come to a head at a State Committee meeting 7/16.”
The board wrote in part, “The Chair’s repeated failures to comply with direct instructions from the Executive Board coupled with his prior breach of responsibility in circulating internal communications for personal political gain demonstrate a continuing pattern of disregard for accountability, transparency, and unity. It also undermines the Board’s good-faith efforts to support the Chair’s leadership since the beginning of his term.”
As previously reported by AZ Free News, the Arizona Democratic Party has been beset by infighting with party leadership and top elected Democrats at odds as far back as April 2025 when Branscomb accused his predecessor of undermining him and both sitting U.S. Senators for Arizona of threatening him over disagreements with his decisions. As recently as June 1st, Branscomb told Pitzl in a meeting days before that the party’s state of spending and low fundraising has led to diminished funds after the ADP’s executive committee rejected a budget proposal from him.
Shortly before the reveal of the fiscal cliff, Branscomb suspended his vice chair, Kim Khoury, and accused her of working against him. He claimed she had engaged “in political activity directed against party leadership while holding an executive officer role.”
At the time, one Democratic donor anonymously voiced their concerns to the media saying anonymously, “Why would I write a check when we’re losing everything? We’re losing the airwaves. We’re losing the tech battle. We’re losing the ground game. They have yet to prove that they have learned any real lessons yet. So either people start to wake up or we lose again.”
Since the June 1st report, the situation within the ADP leadership appears to have worsened significantly.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Jul 2, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
A special guest blogger for Jessica Reed Kraus’ House In Habit, writing under the pseudonym “Osiris for HIH,” has named Arizona Republican Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ8) as runner-up in the “10 Sexiest Men in the 119th Congress.”
“Osiris for HIH,” a gay man “with DC connections” according to Kraus, prefaced the Buzzfeed-esque list article claiming, “some authority on the subject.” He noted that “us gays have a well-documented weakness for men in suits,” before announcing number one on his list: Republican Congressman Brandon Gill of Texa,s citing his “ranch-boy charm and Dartmouth cred.”
But immediately following the Congressional Freshmen Class President, readers find Rep. Hamadeh whom the writer described as “the bachelor to beat.”
He writes, “Rep. Abe Hamadeh, 33, struts into Congress as the bachelor to beat—ex-Army captain, former prosecutor, and Trump’s golden boy in Arizona’s 8th. With a chiseled jaw and a relentless obsession with election integrity, this Scottsdale stud has grit and MAGA swagger. Single and ready to mingle, he’s too busy suing the system and flexing his America-First cred to notice the D.C. dating pool drooling. Good luck, ladies—he’s married to the fight.”
In addition to Hamadeh, the blogger gives the approving nod to Congressmen, Max Miller (R-OH), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Greg Steube (R-FL), and Democrat Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA). Among the Senate, he pointed out Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK). The article also tosses Honorable Mentions to Reps. Aaron Bean (R-FL) and Pat Fallon (R-TX).
Katy Grimes, Editor of the California Globe, commented on the article in a post to X writing, “Absolutely hilarious! The ‘Vanity Fair’ for politics… 10 Sexiest Men in the 119th Congress: ‘Get ready to swoon— or cringe— because I’ve scoured the halls of the 119th Congress for the sexiest men who know how to take care of your constituent concerns.’ Also includes ‘dishonorable mentions’.”
The two “dishonorable mentions,” described as “guys who *should* be hot bachelors on paper (looks, charisma, power suits) but tanked their appeal with cringe-worthy actions that give us the ultimate ick,” were Texas Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw and former anti-Trump Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL).
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Jul 1, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Carlos Munoz-Perez, an illegal alien, Mexican national, and pedophile sex-offender with prior convictions for illegal entry and unlawful sexual activity with a minor was apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents near the San Pedro River.
In a statement released to several social media platforms by Chief Patrol Agent (CPA) of the U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Sector Sean McGoffin, the agency stated that Munoz-Perez was arrested on Saturday, June 22nd, and a records check of the suspect revealed his disturbing history.
“Agents conducted records checks on the subject and learned he had prior convictions for illegal entry and unlawful sexual activity with a minor,” McGoffin wrote. The Chief revealed, “He was sentenced to 12 years for Sexual Exploitation/Child-Prod Performance in 2011.”
According to the Tucson Sector of CBP, Munoz-Perez is facing charges for his illegal re-entry as a previously removed convicted felon. McGoffin wrote, “Thanks to the vigilance and determination of agents, this predator will not reach our communities and will not victimize more of our children.”
The Border Patrol is collaborating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in its ongoing investigation and additional charges may be filed against him as applicable.
In a series of similar posts to X, the Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday, “While rioters and bad-faith politicians attempt to stop immigration enforcement in Los Angeles — @ICEgov continues to arrest criminal illegal aliens. Under @POTUS Trump and @Sec_Noem, law enforcement is committed to making America SAFE again.”
DHS shared information about twenty captured illegal alien criminals from the Los Angeles area described as the “Worst of the worst—LA Edition.” Seven of the criminals were sex offenders, five of them committed sex crimes against minors.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Jun 30, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
U.S. Immigration and Border Enforcement Officers scored a major victory over cross-border drug smugglers in San Luis, Arizona, when they arrested an American citizen following a search of a suspicious vehicle. During the search, officers found over $1.3 million worth of cocaine bound for the streets of Phoenix and Tucson.
The incident occurred in the morning on Friday June 20th when the suspect, a 26-year-old male driving a pickup truck, attempted to enter via the dedicated SENTRI inspection lane from Mexico. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the SENTRI system allows for “expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers,” and requires, “all applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment.”
In a press release, Border Patrol stated that the driver, confirmed to be a U.S. citizen, was “referred for further examination after the primary officer detected abnormalities within the spare tire.” The additional scrutiny paid off when in a secondary inspection area, a CBP canine unit alerted officers to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.
In the extensive search that followed, CBP officers located and extracted fifty packages of cocaine hidden in the vehicle, including those hidden in the spare tire. The estimated street value of the seized narcotics was $1,317,580.
Chris Leon, Area Port Director for San Luis, praised the officer’s work in extreme conditions saying, “The tireless efforts of our officers and drive to protect our nation in these unrelenting conditions of 100 plus degree temperatures prevented these dangerous drugs from entering our streets and communities.”
The suspect, whose name has not been released, was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations, while his vehicle and the drugs inside were seized. According to CBP, “Federal law allows officers to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Jun 29, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Salacious past rumors surrounding Democrat Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ01) resurfaced Wednesday during Congressional testimony from Senior Advisor for the U.S. Agency for Global Media Kari Lake before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Lake’s testimony, entitled Spies, Lies, and Mismanagement: Examining the U.S. Agency for Global Media’s Downfall, laid out a devastating case against the agency that manages Voice of America (VOA) as well as the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Lake described an editorial firewall at the VOA, which prevents U.S. policymakers from influencing coverage yet allows foreign actors like the Chinese government to exert huge pressure. During her testimony, Lake also confronted Stanton with the prospect that VOA could potentially report on long-held rumors that the Congressman had a homosexual affair several years ago. In such an event, she explained, Stanton would be powerless to prevent the government news outlet from reporting the story he contends is false. In fact, he would be sued for even trying to.
According to VOA, “The firewall prohibits interference by any U.S. government official in the objective, independent reporting of news,” as per the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017.
“Your job is to tell the people of the world the truth about America,” Stanton said. “And because of that, there is a more fundamental issue that I want to address today, and that is character.”
Under that thin veneer of justification, Stanton then followed with a lengthy tirade launching ad hominem attacks on Lake’s character, her truthfulness about elections, and openly accused her of lying about the conduct of both the Arizona and U.S. Presidential elections. Citing her legal battles following her gubernatorial and senatorial election defeats, the Arizona Congressman scorned Lake as “an adjudicated liar.”
Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Issa was compelled to intervene when Stanton accused Lake of being a “liar” and a “loser” and called upon the Congressman to adhere to the House rules of decorum.
Lake, finally able to answer when Stanton yielded his time back to the chair, replied, “That was complete insanity. Can I respond to that because that was complete insanity? I wish I could yield back the last five minutes of my life, and I want to apologize to the people of Arizona that we have somebody who’s representing the folks in one of our great parts of the Valley that doesn’t care about the integrity of our elections.”
Turning to address Stanton she continued, “But you weren’t here, you came in late, and we were talking about USAGM today, the Agency for Global Media, and how they can put out absolute, abject lies, and we can’t control any… We have no say over what the editorial content is, and I would hope that you would not be okay with that.”
Lake then made a personal appeal to Stanton, referencing a long-held rumor in Congress, the existence of which has been independently verified by AZ Free News.
“They could literally put out a lie about anybody here, and I know you’ve been a victim of that. I know you’ve been a victim. I remember the stories about you when they said you had a gay lover, and those were going out.”
“Mr. Chair,” Stanton burst out angrily. “I hope you honor what you just gave as a caution to everyone, and I move those words be stricken.”
Undeterred, Lake continued her point, “To tell you that those kind of lies, and you said they were lies, those kinds of lies can be broadcast today on VOA, and you can’t pick up the phone, Representative Stanton, and call them and say, ‘Hey, you’re putting out lies about me.’ You would not be able to do that because they would sue you for breaking the firewall.
“So, lies are being told on Voice of America; it’s inappropriate. You’ve been subjected to lies that you said were lies about you in the media before, and how would you like those lies were put on Voice in America right now? Because they could do it, and you couldn’t do a thing about it. You couldn’t stop it. You couldn’t stop all those lies that you said were said about you if they went on Voice of America today. You’d have to sit and take it.”
Chairman Issa ruled on Stanton’s request to strike Lake’s comments, noting that Lake “was responding and I thought rather complimentary. That in fact those were untrue and she was defending that. So, I’ll leave it as that. I think Mr. Stanton would agree that those were untrue statements, and she said so.”
Stanton, seeming to recover his composure, attempted to resume his attacks on Lake, again claiming Lake to be “an adjudicated liar,” only to be cut off by Chairman Issa.
Chairman Issa then reclaimed time for himself and appeared to admonish Stanton and the other Democrat members for their attacks against Lake saying, “I’ll be brief in saying if everyone on the dais had the accusations of their opponents or even quite frankly sometimes the legal battles, all of us would have a bad day here. That is part of politics. But we’re not here to discuss politics today. We’re here to discuss the spending of hundreds of millions of dollars and a question of whether or not it was best spent on behalf of the American people.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
