AZ DEMs Face ‘Civil War’ over Race, Overreach

Newly elected Chair Robert Branscomb, who made history as the first black American to lead the state party, is calling out what he sees as an effort to pit black and brown communities against each other, along with political overreach, as top elected officials close ranks against him.

Branscomb, a Phoenix-based insurance agency owner and the party’s former vice chair, ran on a bold reform platform: more grassroots engagement, real transparency, and a focus on working-class and rural communities that many Democrats have long ignored.

He won decisively. At the January 18 state committee meeting, Branscomb crushed incumbent Yolanda Bejarano—Governor Katie Hobbs’ preferred candidate—by more than 100 votes (318–206). Bejarano had the backing of Arizona’s biggest Democratic names: Senators Mark Kelly (D) and Ruben Gallego (D), and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D). The establishment threw its weight behind her. The base had other plans.

In his acceptance speech, Branscomb said, “I am incredibly honored to be leading our party during such a critical time in its development. As Party Chair, I will work to bring new people into our coalition, uplift grassroots organizers that are engaging voters year round, and to make the party accessible to all Arizonans who want to learn more about our platform.”

Even Senator Kelly, who had backed Bejarano, publicly acknowledged the historic nature of Branscomb’s win. But that honeymoon didn’t last.

This year the @AZDemParty made history by electing its first-ever Black chair, Robert Branscomb. Chair Branscomb will continue to make history by making sure our Party represents and serves every community across Arizona. #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/jIVd1CMILt

— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) February 28, 2025

During the annual meeting, the party was shaken by a financial scandal. Bejarano’s term ended under a cloud, with outgoing treasurer Rick McGuire accused by former vice chair Will Knight of “self-dealing”—taking in $121,500 in party contracts since 2021. Bejarano dismissed the claims as “defamatory,” saying McGuire had been paid fairly for training local treasurers. Still, both were ousted. Branscomb has since called for a full audit. It’s unclear whether one has begun.

Then came April 19. Branscomb sent a blistering letter to the state committee, accusing Kelly and Gallego of crossing the line and meddling in internal party operations. He specifically claimed that Kelly “strongly discouraged” him from firing the former executive director and that Gallego allegedly threatened to withhold support and fundraising unless Branscomb reversed the decision within 24 hours.

Arizona Democratic Party Chair Robert E. Branscomb, II said in letter to activists that his tenure has been marked by “unexpected challenges” that include an attempt by Sen Mark Kelly to influence a staffing decision and a text from one Az Senator stating he wouldn’t fundraise. pic.twitter.com/6WHrkDSISy

— Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (@yvonnewingett) April 19, 2025

That letter ignited the firestorm.

Within hours, Kelly, Gallego, Hobbs, Fontes, and Mayes closed ranks and responded with a joint statement declaring Branscomb had “lost their trust.” The statement accused him of making “false” claims “in bad faith” and framed his leadership as a threat to party unity with the 2026 elections looming.

Arizona Republican strategist Dan Coulson seized the opportunity to remind voters of Governor Katie Hobbs’ involvement in the 2015 firing of Talonya Adams, a black policy adviser who won two federal jury verdicts for racial and gender discrimination and retaliation.

So @KatieHobbs suddenly has “lost faith” in the black @AZDemParty chair hours after he appointed a black executive director? I’m sensing a pattern…

Kelly and Gallego aren’t even on the ballot this cycle so we all know who really made this decision… https://t.co/4vQni7IPZr pic.twitter.com/GLNsFQAVQy

— Dan Coulson (@DanCoulsonAZ) April 19, 2025

Branscomb isn’t backing down—and the divide is only growing wider. In his letter he claimed, “the senior Senator’s top staffer attempted to sow division and cause harm between Black and Brown communities by publicly stating that my election was the result of “Black folks coming after Latinos.” He concluded, “I will not be coerced, and I will not be silenced.”

This is a developing story.