January 1, 2012

 

New Year’s Greetings! 

As we usher in the New Year, allow me to briefly revisit the accomplishments of the year we leave behind. 

Little did I realize the incredible challenges and wonderful people I would welcome into my life when I was elected Chairman of the State Party on January 22nd. With the help of many talented and self-sacrificing people, we hit the ground running in early 2011. 

Over this last year, your Arizona Republican Party has really been on the move – especially preparing for the 2012 Election Cycle! 

The last few months, we’ve hosted many high profile events welcoming Republican Presidential candidates including, Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich. The State Party has also entertained local and national celebrities such as Joe the Plumber and Steven Seagal and elected officials such as Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Governor Jan Brewer. Our events program is in full swing raising money to fuel the Party. Even more exciting is the re-instatement of the Trunk ‘N Tusk program, our major donor fundraising program that will ensure Republican victory in 2012! 

Across the State of Arizona, we are also on the move! Our County and District Chairman are fully engaged in fulfilling the goals and objectives of the Party including precinct committeeman training, voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities. I’ve visited almost every county in the state meeting with Republican leaders to fully assess, engage and equip them for the political battles ahead. I am convinced we have the most qualified and committed Republicans unified to the goal of defeating Barack Obama. 

State Party headquarters has also seen major changes with upgrades to the facilities and equipment and technology. This year saw the addition of 17 staff and volunteer positions in the areas of operations, events, development, research and communications. Our website and email communications has been upgraded and continues to improve with new technologies. Headquarters is abuzz with activity on a daily basis and we only expect it to increase exponentially heading into 2012. 

The year we leave behind has been very productive but I will admit that it has not been without its challenges. 

The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission was hijacked by a stealth leftist commissioner who manipulated the commission into hiring an overtly pro-Obama map drawing consulting firm to twist and contort our electoral boundaries to give Democrats undeserved political leverage. Our Republican members were outnumbered which prompted the Governor and Legislature to take action by removing this biased commissioner. That led to a legal challenge in which the Arizona Supreme Court sided with the Democrats over the people’s representatives. The maps were drawn and approved without any regard to the Constitution’s mandate let alone the spirit of the law. We now await the federal government’s approval before any legal challenge begins. We must be prepared. 

It was also a disappointing off-year election season as Republican challengers fell short in their efforts to gain seats in Phoenix and Tucson. Most disturbing and alarming was the manipulation and gaming of the electoral process by outside leftist activists in the recall election of State Senate President, Russell Pearce. Senator Pearce’s loss is part of a bigger Democrat plan to pick off Republican elected officials who have been strong on illegal immigration issues. We must stop them from isolating and eliminating Republicans who have demonstrated national leadership on strong immigration policy. 

As we head into 2012, Republicans have much to be excited about and work that requires our unwavering energetic commitment. 

February will bring out the Republican Presidential Debate to Arizona. This will be our opportunity as Republicans and Arizonans to show the nation Arizona is a leader on so many fronts including the economy, jobs, energy and immigration. We are working very hard to ensure our role in the Presidential Election process sets a standard that exceeds national expectations. Less than a week after the debate, Arizona Republicans will head to the polls to make their choice for Republican nominee. Arizona may very well set the final trajectory for the Republican nomination! 

While there is much more to anticipate and plan for in the year ahead, I ask that you prepare and partner with us in these efforts. Your dedication to Republican principles and that consequential action will allow Arizona Republicans to succeed in what everyone has now recognized as the most important election of our lifetime. 

These are exceedingly trying times we live in but I believe that as Republicans we can and will rise to the challenges confronting us in 2012. Let us look ahead with great enthusiasm and vigor as we restore our Republic to her foundations of freedom, liberty and confidence in the future. 

On behalf of the Arizona Republican Party, I wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year! 

Tom Morrissey
Chairman, Arizona Republican Party

 

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