Arizona GOP Chairman resigns: Jeff DeWit was at center of audio recording controversy

PHOENIX - The head of the Arizona Republican Party is stepping down amid a recent controversy involving GOP senate candidate Kari Lake.

According to various media reports by news websites The Hill and The Independent, an audio recording surfaced recently where Jeff DeWit appeared to offer Lake money in order to keep her out of the 2024 election cycle. Both news organizations stated that they were unable to independently verify the recording's authenticity. The audio recording was initially released by The Daily Mail.

FOX 10 has also received a copy of the recording from the Lake camp. As of Wednesday afternoon, they have not replied to our request for comment.

"So, what's going on?" Lake was heard saying in the audio recording. "I'm assuming this is our friend."

"This is back East," DeWit was heard saying in the recording. "They are very powerful people. They want to keep you out."

"I know when they do," Lake replied.

 "But they are willing to put their money where their mouth is, in a big way," DeWit said. "So, this conversation never happened."

"This is crazy, though," Lake said, in response. "They should want me. I'm a great candidate. People love me. These people are corrupt."

"Is there a number at which--" DeWit said.

"--I can be bought? That's what it's about," Lake said.

"We can take a pause for a couple of years," DeWit said.

"No," Lake replied.

DeWit rails against ‘selectively edited’ audio recording in letter

In the letter, DeWit alleged that Lake has "released a selectively edited audio recording of our private conversation," and called it a "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 wrote. "Contrary to the notion of me being an enemy of Lake’s, this conversation was recorded while I was actually employing Lake in my private company. In fact, for over a year and a half we had many conversations where I was looking out for her financial interests. The ethical breach in her recording of our conversation, while Lake was my employee, raises serious legal and moral concerns."

DeWit also alleged that he was given an ultimatum by members of the Lake team.

"This morning, I was determined to fight for my position. 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," read a portion of the letter.

DeWit's resignation was offered at the end of the lengthy letter.

"In closing, my actions will always reflect what's best for Arizona Republicans, our commendable elected officials, and our mission to reclaim the White House. This is all such a distraction to that mission that I am doing as Ms. Lake wishes and am stepping down as Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party," DeWit wrote.

DeWit’s resignation comes mere days before a mandatory GOP state meeting.

Lake running for Senate

Lake is running to be the GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate seat currently being held by Krysten Sinema. Sinema was initially elected as a Democrat six years prior, but became an independent in 2022.

In 2022, Lake ran against Democrat Katie Hobbs to succeed Doug Ducey as Arizona's governor. Hobbs eventually won the race. 

Politicians react to recording controversy

In the moments before DeWit announced his resignation, Republican lawmakers shared their reaction to the audio recording and its surrounding controversy .

"I would like to hear the full story," said State Sen. John Kavanaugh. "I would like to see what happens tonight, and the Republican meeting tomorrow."

"Obviously, if it’s what it sounds like, resignation. Yeah. That’s the correct path," said State Senate President Warren Peterson.

The full letter released by DeWit

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.

As Chairman, my primary duty is to strengthen our party, which often involves challenging dialogues and strategic decisions. These conversations are meant to assess and enhance the viability of our candidates. The truth is, when I took the helm, our party was in disarray – financially unstable, organizationally weak, and lacking in momentum. Today, we have made significant improvements in acquiring a new office headquarters, legal victories for election integrity, and historic fundraising achievements.

Contrary to the notion of me being an enemy of Lake’s, this conversation was recorded while I was actually employing Lake in my private company. In fact, for over a year and a half we had many conversations where I was looking out for her financial interests. The ethical breach in her recording of our conversation, while Lake was my employee, raises serious legal and moral concerns. This act of recording was not just a betrayal of trust but also a violation of the fiduciary responsibilities of an employee. Contrary to accusations of bribery, my discussions were transparent and intended to offer perspective, not coercion. Our relationship was based on friendship, and the conversation that is now being scrutinized was an open, unguarded exchange between friends in the living room of her house. I genuinely believed I was offering a helpful perspective to someone I considered a friend.

Lake has a massive megaphone that I cannot compete with. I am just a business and financial guy that got recruited into this unpaid role that demands the amount of time of roughly two full time jobs – nights, weekends, holidays, and more are all workdays. My motivation for accepting this position was that I wanted to contribute positively, with the primary focus being the betterment of Arizona and our nation through the election of competent individuals. While there is much more that I could express, I must refrain from defending myself, as it could potentially undermine this objective.

Since our conversation where I advised Lake to postpone her campaign and aim for the Governor's position in two years, she has been on a mission to destroy me. It was a suggestion made in good faith, believing it could benefit both her future prospects and the party's overall strategy. The release of our conversation by Lake confirms a disturbing tendency to exploit private interactions for personal gain and increases concerns about her habit of secretly recording personal and private conversations. This is obviously a concern given how much interaction she has with high profile people including President Trump. I question how effective a United States Senator can be when they cannot be trusted to engage in private and confidential conversations.

I said things I regret, but I realize when hearing Lake’s recording that I was set up. 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. 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.

I am a proud supporter of President Trump, having worked diligently as the COO & CFO of his 2016 campaign, served in his Administration for two years, and returned as the COO of the 2020 campaign. Like many Republicans, I am eager to see him return to the White House, bringing back low inflation, a secure border, and economic growth. President Trump is not only a successful businessman but also a passionate Patriot. We have both faced the challenge of dealing with unauthorized recordings, a situation no one should endure. While I have occasionally critiqued some of his endorsements, my admiration for his character has never faltered. My dedication remains with Arizona Republicans, our commendable elected officials, and candidates who are champions of freedom, as well as my friends in the Trump campaign, united in our goal to reclaim the White House.

Our party's focus should be unity, integrity, and the selection of candidates who can truly lead and represent our values. We are weakened by internal strife, underhanded tactics, and the erosion of trust. As someone who has dedicated countless unpaid hours to this cause, I hope that every future party Chairman is as committed to steering our party towards a future that embodies our core principles of unity, respect, and professionalism.

In closing, my actions will always reflect what's best for Arizona Republicans, our commendable elected officials, and our mission to reclaim the White House. This is all such a distraction to that mission that I am doing as Ms. Lake wishes and am stepping down as Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party.