PHOENIX: The rift between the Arizona Republican Party establishment and the pro-Trump wing widened as committee members censured Republican Gov. Doug Ducey; Cindy McCain, the widow of Senator John McCain, nominated for the party presidency in 2008; and former Republican Party Senator Jeff Flake.
Republicans also re-elected Kelli Ward, a key sponsor of Donald Trump, as president. Endorsed by Mr. Trump, she had exchanged barbs with Mr. Ducey and other characters in the establishment and urged approval of censorship.
“This election cycle exposed that we have too much friendliness in our top-down party,” he said.
Arizona’s Republican divisions are reflected in other states in the wake of Trump’s election loss and the January 6 Capitol Revolt. Ten Republican members of the House who voted to accuse Mr. Trump of urging supporters to protest at the Capitol are being targeted by major challenges.
On Saturday in Kentucky, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) Defended a small group of Trump loyalists who opposed his claims that he kept an open mind about Trump’s sentencing to his trial in the Senate.