Valley business leaders are now challenging Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward and other Republican elected officials.
The business leaders are accusing them of embarrassing the state, lying to its citizens and contributing to the insurrection at the nation's Capitol.
The Greater Phoenix Leadership Council placed a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic, saying, “That elected members of Arizona’s congressional delegation and the state legislature participated and stoked the flames of this travesty is embarrassing and wrong. They should be held accountable for their rhetoric and behavior.”
State Party Chair, Kelli Ward, has led the revolt against Arizona’s election results who was occasionally joined at rallies by Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar.
Congressman Andy Biggs has also lent his support to those who want to throw out the election results.
Last week, Tucson area State Representative Mark Finchem attended the Washington rallies.
Finchem said he left before demonstrators stormed the Capitol. But he later sent out an accusatory tweet saying the far-left group, Antifa, was involved. The allegation was found to be not true.
“The Arizona Republican Party has been extremely irresponsible and offensive in its rhetoric," said Arizona Chamber of Commerce President and C.E.O. Glen Hamer.
The Greater Phoenix Leadership Council represents 140 Valley CEO’s who employ roughly 500,000 people.
“We believe there was a free and fair election and that continuing to opine otherwise to the citizens have now proven dangerous and deadly in an act of insurrection that took place in the U.S. Capitol,” GPLC President and CEO Neil Giuliano said.
GPLC says it will no longer support the party and these individuals financially until it sees a change in rhetoric, leadership, and practice with a return to civil discourse and the fundamental principles upon which the Republican Party was founded.
In the aftermath of the events at the U.S. Capitol, Pinnacle West, the Parent Company of Arizona Public Service said, “We are reviewing our approach to political contributions.”
SRP says its Political Action Committee will do the same thing.
“I don't believe there is a major company or entity in Arizona that's going to be contributing to any party organization that is being so divisive,” Hamer said.
In politics, it’s often money that often talks loudest. The question for Arizona’s Republican Party is anyone listening?
ABC 15 sought comment today from Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs, he did not respond.
A spokesman for Congressman Paul Gosar offered a “no comment.”
A request to speak to Party Chair Kelli Ward through her spokesperson was never acknowledged.
