by Daniel Stefanski | Dec 27, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
The Arizona Republican leader instrumental in delivering her state for the 47th President of the United States is reportedly running for re-election for chair of her party.
Earlier this month, Garrett Archer, a journalist with ABC15 News, revealed that Gina Swoboda, the current chair of the Republican Party of Arizona, would be running for re-election to her post in January, and that she would be supported by President-elect Donald J. Trump.
The news quickly spread among Arizona Republicans, and several expressed their delight with this reported decision. Arizona Senate President Pro-Tempore T.J. Shope posted, “She has Donald Trump’s support and she has my support! Let’s all rally behind Gina Swoboda for AZGOP Chair!!!”
State Representative Teressa Martinez wrote, “Gina Swoboda has done an amazing job and I absolutely back her for Chairwoman of the AZGOP!”
Arizona State Senator Janae Shamp added, “The Boss knows she is the best woman for the job! And so does Arizona! Looking forward to winning 2026 with Gina Swoboda as the State Party Chair!”
State Senators Wendy Rogers and Frank Carroll also weighed in with their support for Swoboda’s candidacy.
Swoboda was unexpectedly pressed into action as chair of state Republican party in January after a vacancy occurred. After quickly securing the endorsement of former President Donald J. Trump, Swoboda had no trouble sailing to victory in the snap election among state committeemen. Her top priority as chair was to re-deliver Arizona’s electoral votes for Trump in November, which she did last month for the General Election.
On Election Night, Swoboda issued a statement of victory after seeing a number of positive results around her state, writing, “This victory is a testament to the grit and determination of Arizonans who believe in the American Dream. We focused on what matters – keeping families safe, bringing down the cost of living, securing our border, and reviving American greatness. We have sent a clear message to Washington: Arizona is red, and when we unite, WE WIN!”
One night later, after her state was called for Trump, Swoboda posted, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to help elect 45/47. Thank you for believing in me Donald Trump. Thank you AZGOP for allowing me to make history with our beautiful State 48.”
When Trump visited Tempe in late October, he made sure to address Swoboda’s tireless work to help turn out the votes for him and other Republicans across the state, saying, “This woman has done a job […] especially early voting, and we are doing record successful numbers, and I think it’s gonna stay that way. Gina Swoboda, great job – thank you!”
Under Swoboda’s leadership, Trump won Arizona with a greater margin than he did in 2016; Republicans expanded their majorities in the state House and Senate; incumbent Republican U.S. Congressmen held their seats; Republicans swept the three statewide Arizona Corporation Commission positions, and a key border security measure sailed to victory.
Swoboda’s reported intent to run for re-election for AZGOP chair would likely set up a match-up with State Representative Cory McGarr, who announced his decision to run for the party’s top post earlier this month after losing his seat in the Arizona Legislature. Former Republican candidate for Arizona Governor and U.S. Senate, Kari Lake, thanked McGarr “for getting in this race.”
The AZGOP chair for the next election cycle in 2026 will be critical for Republican efforts to take back major statewide offices – Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State. Arizona Republicans will have the chance to decide who is the best fit to lead them forward when they reconvene in the new year at the annual AZGOP meeting in Phoenix.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Dec 26, 2024 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Earlier this month, Gov. Katie Hobbs sent a letter to Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, rebuking him for the implementation of a risk-based auditing approach to approving Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program reimbursements. A few days later, Horne responded by suggesting that Hobbs “should start reading what she signs.”
In a statement, Horne reminded the Democrat governor that the process the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) is now employing is explicitly called for under a bill she signed into law herself. He notes further that Hobbs is also directly responsible for creating the situation that necessitated the change when she signed a bill permitting private school tuition to be paid under reimbursement rather than the previous third-party vendor.
The move has come as a backlog of reimbursement requests for the ESA program has exceeded 85,000. The Department of Education, unable to utilize third party provider Class Wallet, which was previously the procedure, will now automatically approve the requests up to $2,000 and then audit them after the fact.
In the initial letter to Horne, Hobbs pointed to recent indictments and allegations of fraud and abuse of the ESA program and claimed that the implementation of the risk-based auditing approach “is a complete dereliction of the ADE’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate use of public funds.”
Horne replied in a statement saying:
“The method we are instituting, known as risk-based auditing, is specifically provided for in the budget statute that the Governor signed last session. Maybe she should start reading what she signs.
Equally startling, is that she herself created the problem we are trying to solve by signing a bill to permit private school tuition to be paid under the reimbursement method, rather than going through our vendor, Class Wallet, which was previously required. This played a major role in increasing the delays and reimbursements from 30 days a year ago to over 100 days now.
The Governor played a major role in creating a problem that we now must solve by using a method provided for in a Bill that she signed.
Part of the problem appears to be that staff in the Governor’s office are slow learners.”
In a press release, Horne referred to Arizona Law under A.R.S. 15-2403 (B), which explicitly permits this method stating, “The department, in consultation with the office of the auditor general, shall develop risk-based auditing procedures for audits conducted pursuant to this subsection.”
The Superintendent also stressed the accountability of the program saying, “The ESA program is among the most accountable programs in the State. It’s responsible for demonstrating accountability through reporting that is required by statute, rules, and ad hoc requests from seven government agencies and bodies, including: Governor’s Office; Legislative Leadership; Joint Legislative Budget Committee; Attorney General’s Office (multiple units); Auditor General’s Office (multiple divisions); State Board of Education and the State Ombudsman.”
As previously reported by AZ Free News, Hobbs was recently fact-checked by Citizens For Free Enterprise, who publicly criticized her for attacking the ESA program. The group stated, “FACT CHECK: Arizona’s universal school choice program is a model of accountability, transparency, and security, according to CSI Institute Arizona. The over 83,000 Arizona families using ESAs just want the best for their children – and Katie Hobbs should stop attacking them.”
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 Daniel Stefanski | Dec 26, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A Republican Congressman is pushing back against a controversial report regarding one of America’s strongest allies.
Earlier this month, U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani reacted to a report from Amnesty International about Israel and its fight against terrorists, writing, “Amnesty International’s baseless accusation against Israel is not only false, it is an antisemitic attack against the Jewish state as it fights to defend its people against Iran-backed terrorist proxies. The U.S. must reject this dishonest attack and continue to stand firmly with our ally in its fight against terrorism.”
In that report, Amnesty International asserted, “There is only one reasonable inference that can be drawn from the evidence presented: genocidal intent has been part and parcel of Israel’s conduct in Gaza since 7 October 2023, including its military campaign.”
The Israel Defense Forces vigorously confronted the accusations, saying, “The report’s allegations of genocide and intentional harm are not only unfounded but also ignore Hamas’ violations of international law, including its use of civilians as human shields and its deliberate targeting of Israeli civilians.”
AIPAC took special umbrage against the report, releasing a lengthy statement in response. The pro-Israel organization stated, “Once again Amnesty International has issued a slanderous attack on Israel that amounts to a blood libel against the Jewish state. In reality, it is Israel that has been the victim of a genocidal attack that was launched by proxies of the Iranian regime that has vowed to eliminate the Jewish state. Israel is doing what any other country would do when faced with enemies that seek its elimination – it is fighting a just and moral war of self-defense.”
AIPAC added, “This outrageous report is just the latest in a long line of biased anti-Israel missives from Amnesty, whose U.S. branch is run by an individual who doesn’t believe Israel should exist as a Jewish state and has been unanimously criticized by House Jewish Democrats for his ‘alarming and deeply offensive’ views.”
Back in April, Congressman Ciscomani joined some of his colleagues on an official delegation visit to Israel. According to a press release from his office, Ciscomani “met with top Israeli officials, participated in a briefing with former Israel Defense Forces military personnel, heard from families of current hostages held by Hamas, and visited sites of the October 7 attacks. After his visit, Ciscomani said, “This trip has equipped me and my colleagues with a better understanding of what the Israeli people experience every day, and how the United States can continue to support them in this critical mission.”
Ciscomani was just re-elected to his second term in the U.S. House of Representatives in a critical swing-district seat to help Republicans maintain control of the chamber. He serves on the Appropriations and Veterans’ Affairs Committees; and he is a member of the Western, Border Security, Taiwan, School Choice, and DOGE Caucuses.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Dec 22, 2024 | News
By Staff Reporter |
A 20-year-old Tucson man was arrested earlier this month for producing child sexual abuse material and cyberstalking for several terror networks online.
In a lengthy press release, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the charges against the Tucson resident, Baron Martin.
Martin allegedly participated in child sextortion sites, called “online violent terror networks” by the FBI, known as 764 and CVLT. On these networks under the moniker “Convict,” Martin would claim to own these networks. The DOJ clarified that the online terror networks remain active, even with Martin’s arrest.
“764 remains a dangerous network of violent extremists who systematically target children and weaponize child sexual abuse material for the purpose of furthering an accelerationist agenda, destroying civilized society, and causing the collapse of the U.S. Government,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen. “The Department of Justice is fully committed to stopping 764’s acts of terrorism and disrupting the 764 network.”
764 networks criminals who target vulnerable minors to produce and share extreme gore media and child sexual abuse material. Per the DOJ, 764 members seek to desensitize minors with violence and sexual abuse materials with the aim of grooming them into committing future violence.
764 members usually target female minors and have them photograph or video the mutilation of themselves or others.
The public learned of 764 about a week prior to Martin’s arrest. Cyberscoop published a report after receiving exclusive access to details of the ongoing federal investigation into 764.
764 carries loose associations with a global cybercrime collective, “The Com.” These networks engage in the targeting, grooming, extorting, and harming of children with the goal of corrupting them into effective, violent criminals capable of destroying society upon entering adulthood.
Among Martin’s alleged crimes committed online: forcing minors to self-mutilate for him, and harassing and threatening a minor with the assassination of their loved one.
In the former alleged crimes, Martin had victims cut designs into their bodies, like swastikas and satanic symbols. He threatened to leak pictures of his victims if they didn’t comply. In that latter alleged crime, Martin agreed to pay someone $3,000 to kidnap and murder a victim’s loved one.
Similar to the practices of those operating within The Com, Martin is also alleged to have created and posted a detailed guide for identifying, grooming, and extorting children. Robert Wells, executive assistant director of the FBI’s National Security Branch, described Martin’s crimes as “simply horrific.”
“The details in this case are simply horrific as the defendant allegedly coerced children to harm themselves multiple times,” said Wells. “The FBI’s mission is to protect the American people and we take that especially seriously when it comes to the young and vulnerable. The FBI will use all of our authorities to investigate and hold accountable anyone who preys on children.”
Martin may face up to 30 years in prison for producing child sexual abuse material and up to 10 years in prison for cyberstalking.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Dec 22, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona Republicans are weighing in against an ongoing effort from the outgoing presidential administration to offload materials at the border ahead of the transfer of power in January.
Last week, The Daily Wire revealed that “Biden is racing to auction off unused border wall materials weeks before Trump takes office.” These materials were left over from the first Trump administration, when President Biden halted construction on the wall spanning parts of the southern border in various border states as one of his earliest actions in the White House in early 2021.
According to President-elect Donald Trump at a recent press conference, “The (Biden) administration is trying to sell it for five cents on the dollar – knowing that we’re getting ready to put it up.” Trump added that “what they’re doing is really an act – it’s almost a criminal act.”
Former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey responded to the news, saying, “Right here in AZ, Joe Biden is attempting a last-ditch effort to keep America’s borders open by selling off materials the Trump Admin will use to finish the wall. This decision from President Biden is reckless, will make Arizonans less safe, and should be reversed – immediately.”
In an interview with The Daily Wire, U.S. Congressman Eli Crane said, “The Biden Administration is well aware they shouldn’t have reversed construction of the border wall. If it’s true, they’re purposefully hamstringing an incoming president, it wouldn’t be shocking. Why would they want to see President Trump succeed with policies they aggressively sabotaged?”
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen told AZ Free News, “This brazen behavior from Biden is a slap in the face to the law-abiding citizens who voted for a secure border. It’s because of his reckless policies and his administration’s evasion of the law that countless Americans have suffered the dire consequences of criminals pouring across the border into our communities. I’m hopeful the courts will take action against this sale.”
As Petersen mentioned, Republicans around the country are searching for a legal theory to try to stop the Biden administration from continuing with these actions. President Donald Trump takes the oath of office one month from this week on January 20.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Dec 21, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona Republicans scored a significant victory in court over the state’s top elections official.
On Thursday, Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma championed a recent court ruling from Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney over contested provisions within the 2023 Arizona Elections Procedures Manual (EPM). According to a release issued by the Arizona House of Representatives, “the court sided with Speaker [Ben] Toma and Senate President Warren Petersen in their legal challenge, declaring that the Secretary overstepped his authority and infringed on the Legislature’s exclusive lawmaking powers.”
Speaker Toma released a statement in reaction to the decision, saying, “This is a clear victory for the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the integrity of our elections. The Legislature is the lawmaking body of this state, and today’s decision reaffirms that foundational principle. Secretary Fontes attempted to overstep his authority, but the court recognized these actions for what they were – unlawful and unenforceable. I am proud to have led this fight to protect the constitutional role of the Legislature and to ensure that Arizona’s election laws are upheld as written. It’s a win for all Arizonans who value fair, transparent, and accountable election policies.”
President Petersen said, “A win today on our lawsuit against the Secretary of State. Judge said the SOS exceeded his lawful authority at least 4 times in his drafting of the elections procedure manual. The voter rolls must be cleaned up.”
In a comment to AZ Free News, Petersen added, “We’re disappointed that the judge delayed the effective date of the AEVL provision but everything else was a big win. We will continue to do all we can to secure our elections and boost voter confidence.”
Arizona House Republicans shared that the court ruling “invalidated multiple provisions in the EPM, including:
- A rule altering how voter registrations are managed for non-residents, in violation of Arizona statutes.
- A rule excusing errors in circulator registrations, undermining strict compliance requirements for initiatives and referendums.
- A rule limiting the role of county Boards of Supervisors during the canvassing process and improperly allowing the Secretary to exclude county results from the statewide canvass.”
While this past election cycle has come and gone, Fontes will have one more opportunity to fashion an EPM before the next one, and he has Democrat allies in Governor Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes to potentially rubberstamp his schemes yet again. Arizona legislative Republicans are awaiting the next installment of the EPM to ensure that any out-of-order provisions will be quickly discovered and challenged in court to protect the integrity of Arizona elections.
Fontes dropped the current EPM just before the statute-mandated deadline of December 31, 2023, after securing approvals from Hobbs and Mayes. For the first time since 1978-1979, Democrats controlled the top three statewide offices in Arizona (Governor: Bruce Babbitt, Attorney General: John LaSota, Secretary of State: Rose Mofford). One of the most significant consequences of securing this power trifecta is the ability to negotiate, craft, and green light the state’s Elections Procedures Manual without initial interference from opposing political voices, as required by law every two years.
At the end of January, Petersen and Toma filed a challenge in Maricopa County Superior Court over Fontes’ EPM, which has been ongoing up until (and through) this week’s decision.
When the EPM was published at the end of last year, Governor Katie Hobbs, who preceded Fontes, said, “Partisan politics should have no role in how we run our elections. This EPM builds on the 2019 EPM and 2021 draft EPM from my tenure as Secretary of State and will ensure dedicated public servants from across the state will have the guidelines they need to administer free and fair elections. Together, we can protect our democracy and make sure every Arizonan has the opportunity to have their voice heard.”
As Secretary of State, Hobbs was required to finalize the EPM in 2021, but a divided government shared with Republican Governor Doug Ducey and Attorney General Mark Brnovich stymied the quest to secure a green light for the manual. Hobbs and Brnovich were also mired in an ongoing political feud, which resulted in legal bar charges that the Secretary of State brought against the state’s top prosecutor and several of his attorneys. After receiving Hobbs’ updated manual, Brnovich sued the SOS “to compel her production of a lawful EPM.” Brnovich alleged that “the SOS failed to provide the Governor and Attorney General with a lawful manual by October 1, 2021, as required, and instead included nearly one-hundred pages of provisions not permitted under the EPM statute.” The challenge from the former Attorney General was rendered unsuccessful, and the state was forced to revert to the previous cycle’s EPM (2019) to govern the 2022 races.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
