In a Webinar of Falsehoods, AZ Dems Chair Branscomb LIES that AG Kris Mayes Now Supports Him

Embattled Arizona Democratic Party Chair Robert Branscomb brazenly lied in a one-hour webinar this afternoon (7-12-25) that state Attorney General Kris Mayes now supports him, but Mayes’ office denied the claim. Branscomb’s statement is a complete lie.

Attorney General Kris Maye’s office just telephoned me and stated that Branscomb’s claim – repeated twice in the webinar (see below) at 10 minutes and 32 seconds, and also at 46 minutes and 46 seconds– is not true. Mayes has taken no position on Branscomb.

It was just one of several lies told by Branscomb.

Worst of all, ADP Executive Director Michael Ruff printed out a hard copy of all 710 Democratic State Committee members and gave it to Republican Stephen Neil Jr., who is a candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Branscomb denies this, but two members of the ADP Executive Committee confirmed this actually happened.

Working as a Republican, Neil has been calling and sending robocalls to Democratic Committee Members telling them to skip the July 16th Special Meeting to remove Branscomb. A low turnout guarantees that Branscomb gets to keep his job.

In the webinar, Branscomb denied sending the highly-confidential Democratic list to the Republicans. But making things worse, Branscomb and Ruff have suppressed the list of 710 Democratic State Committee members, and refused to give ADP Executive Committee members access to it.

Lots of softball questions

AZ Dems Communications Director Craig Beckman moderated Branscomb’s webinar and asked him 42 softball questions. Even so, Branscomb refused to answer questions several times, claiming that the necessary information was not before him.

Branscomb:

• Denied that he was “union busting” with the state party staff. “I am not union-busting. I belong to two unions.” He said he could not sign the union contract because the ADP has no budget — which is Branscomb’s fault!
• Lied that he had introduced a budget four times to the state Executive Committee. According to Executive Committee members, he introduced the budget only once, and it was voted down unanimously.
• Declined to give part of his $144,000 salary back to the Party, because “it’s a full-time job.”
• Denied that the ADP did anything to cause the email and websites of several legislative districts to crash.

Branscomb demolishes donations

Branscomb destroyed donations to the party when he issued a letter on April 19, openly criticizing US Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego — and complaining about his job. Donations fell off immediately.

The previous ADP Chair, Yolanda Bejarano, had raised $8 million in 2024 and left a $1.5 million surplus for 2025. Branscomb confessed in the video that the ADP now has $891,000 in cash on hand.

“Urgent Recommendation”

Video: AZ Dems Treasurer Greg Freeman Makes an “Urgent Recommendation” to Oust Chair Robert Branscomb.

ADP Treasurer Freeman said, “The Arizona Democratic Party is dealing with very serious financial issues. Chair Branscomb has showed a limited understanding of these issues and neither interest nor effectiveness in addressing them. The only possible outcome for the Arizona Democratic Party if the Chair stays in place is ineffectiveness or bankruptcy,”

“Removing the chair is the only way to create an Arizona Democratic Party that not just survives, but makes a meaningful difference in the upcoming election cycle,” Freeman said.

On July 1, Governor Hobbs, Secretary of State Fontes, and Attorney General Mayes — all of whom are seeking second terms next year — announced that their grassroots organizing efforts will be outsourced to the Democrats of Navajo County, rather than the dysfunctional Arizona Democratic Party. They chose to bypass the financially strained state party and Chair Branscomb.

Fundraising and cash on hand

Branscomb said he had personally spent 40 hours in July but only raised between $10,000 and $12,000.

He said he had not sought mediation with the ADP Executive Board, which unanimously opposes Branscomb.

To rectify the Party’s abysmal fundraising, Branscomb begged webinar attendees to contribute $10 to ADP to help with grassroots fundraising.

Branscomb said the Party would raise funds in future events, such as a Hall of Fame Dinner on August 23. The truth is that the ADP had to cancel its annual Hall of Fame dinner in May because there were only a handful of people who said they would attend.

The webinar was one of the most extreme examples of gaslighting and lies I have ever witnessed.