LD29 Republicans chair calls on party to support Trump, Swoboda

Lisa Everett

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In 2024 and 2025, now-President Donald J. Trump personally asked Gina Swoboda to run for Arizona GOP state chair. Our state is fortunate that she accepted that challenge and won. As the chairwoman of GOP Legislative District 29, I want to make it clear that I strongly support both President Trump and Chairwoman Swoboda.

Swoboda has not asked anyone to run for governor of Arizona. In fact, she has spoken directly against the idea of the party putting its finger on the scale in our primaries. She has consistently emphasized fairness and transparency.

Swoboda has also been straightforward in addressing election issues. She acknowledged that ballot-chasing helped our party in 2024, and correctly noted that the federal government maintains authority in federal races.

She has also spoken out strongly against viewpoint discrimination — particularly the decision by PBS and ASU to deny Kari Lake equal debate opportunities given to Katie Hobbs.

While she criticized this blatant unfairness, she also reminded us that if we are concerned about media conglomerates controlling speech, we cannot simultaneously argue for shutting down public broadcasting. Instead, she demanded that PBS provide answers and safeguards to ensure this does not happen again.

On the issue of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, Swoboda has been pragmatic and responsible. She supports ESAs, but she also supports guardrails needed to make sure the program is properly staffed and executed. ESAs have expanded rapidly, and if we want the public to continue supporting this critical program, we must ensure it is administered well and sustainably.

I cannot understand why the “purity test” wing of our party has chosen to weaponize these well-reasoned, publicly stated positions against our chairwoman. Those calling for her resignation are not only undermining unity within our party — they are also going directly against the recommendation and wishes of our president.

Now is the time for us to stand together, not to divide ourselves. Arizona Republicans must unite behind President Trump and Chairwoman Swoboda if we want to win in 2026 and beyond.

Editor’s note: Lisa Everett is chair of the Arizona LD29 Republicans. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.