Arizona Democrats have taken decisive action to oust their embattled party chair, Robert Branscomb II, following a chaotic and polarizing period of internal conflict. The party voted to remove Brans, who had been at the center of a series of disputes within the party, after months of public tension that culminated in a decisive vote late Wednesday.
The vote, which passed with a significant majority of 476-56, cleared the required two-thirds threshold by a margin of eight votes, indicating strong support for the removal. The decision followed months of controversy surrounding Branscomb, including a contentious letter he sent to members of the state committee that criticized prominent state Democrats such as Sen. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, while also revealing private disagreements among them.
Branscomb, who initially defended his actions, eventually conceded, stating that the effort to remove him was “rooted in misrepresentation, divisive tactics and does not reflect our democratic values.” His comments suggested a belief that his leadership was being targeted due to personal grievances rather than policy disagreements.
The controversy surrounding Branscomb dates back to April, when he sent a letter to members of the state committee that attacked Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego and aired private disagreements among them. In response, all of the state’s top elected Democrats said in a letter that Branscomb “lost their trust.”
Gov. Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Attorney General Kris Mayes — who are all up for reelection in 2026 — went on to create a statewide coordinated campaign to circumvent the state party, a prospect POLITICO first reported in April.
The decision to remove Branscomb reflects broader tensions within the party, with state officials opting to bypass the party structure for coordinated campaign efforts. The outcome underscores the growing challenges faced by party leaders in maintaining unity and coherence amidst internal disputes.