The head of the Arizona GOP stepped down on Wednesday following the unveiling of an audio recording in which he proposed attractive job prospects to Kari Lake. She is a prominent Trump supporter and a Republican contender for the U.S. Senate in Arizona, suggesting that she temporarily step away from politics for two years.
Lake stated on Tuesday, making reference to state head Jeff DeWit,”He’s got to resign. We can’t have someone who is corrupt and compromised running the Republican Party.”
DeWit posted a letter on X, stating that he was resigning “as Lake requested.” He also asserted that Lake’s associates had threatened to release another damaging tape if he did not comply.
“This morning, I was determined to fight for my position. However, a few hours ago I received an ultimatum from Lake’s team: resign or face the release of a new, more damaging recording,” his letter stated. “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,” he added.
The “tape speaks for itself,” according to a statement released by Lake advisors Caroline Wren and Garrett Ventry on X, and “No one from the Kari Lake campaign threatened or blackmailed DeWit.”
Lake discussed the contents of the audio recording on Wednesday night, labeling it a “bribery scandal,” via the social media platform Rumble.
“They can’t stop us and they know it,” Lake said. “And so that’s why they’re trying to bribe me out of politics.”
In her resignation letter, she further attacked DeWit, claiming he “did a horrible job.”
“He tried to act like the behavior you heard on that audio is normal communication amongst friends — it’s disgusting,” Lake stated.
Garret Lewis, an Arizona Republican talk show host, has already made available the audio of DeWit and Lake’s March 2023 conversation. In it, the chair is heard saying Lake, “There are very powerful people that want to keep you out.”
DeWit went on to say, “They’re willing to put their money where their mouth is in a very big way,” calling it “an incredible opportunity.”
The only description of “they” that is given is “people back east.” Lake exclaimed, “This is crazy. They should want me. I’m a great candidate, people love me.”
The talk between Lake and DeWit occurred several months following Lake’s defeat in the 2022 governor’s race against Democrat Katie Hobbs, whom Lake had previously supported for chairman.
Despite losing, Lake, a denier of the 2020 presidential election results, persisted in claiming victory in the gubernatorial election and filed a lawsuit to challenge the outcome.
However, the lawsuit was dismissed in May of the previous year. DeWit, on the other hand, is a former Arizona state treasurer who played a key role in leading Trump’s Arizona campaign in 2016 and served as the chief operating officer for his 2020 campaign.
According to DeWit, during the conversation with Lake, the anonymous individuals “want you to stay out for two years… they want you to be on their team.”
Lake says to him, “I’m not going to let these people in D.C. tell me not to run.”
“Is there a number at which…” DeWit then queries. “I could be bought?” Lake queries. “No.”
She stated to DeWit, “this is about getting Trump out. It’s about getting DeSantis in,” and “Trump is my guy.” DeWit insisted that she at least specify a cost.
“I actually just wish that you’d give me a counter-offer that was big. Give me a counter,” he stated.
“I can’t be bought,” she answered.
DeWit said in his letter that during her time working for his company, Lake made a “selectively edited audio recording of our private conversation.I genuinely believed I was offering a helpful perspective to someone I considered a friend,” he stated.
According to DeWit, Lake had made it her “mission to destroy me” ever since they had a conversation during which he advised her to abandon her Senate candidacy in order to concentrate on a subsequent bid for governor. In October, Lake formally announced her Senate bid.
