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Arizona Republican Party Chair Jeff DeWit resigned on Wednesday after former Arizona gubernatorial hopeful and current U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake threatened to release a "damaging" audio recording, DeWit alleged.
In a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, DeWit discussed his decision to step down: "This morning I was determined to fight for my position. However, a few hours ago I received an ultimatum from Lake's team: resign today or face the release of a new more damaging recording. I am truly unsure of its contents, but considering our numerous past open conversations as friends, I have decided not to take the risk. I am resigning as Lake requested in the hope that she will honor her commitment to cease her attacks," DeWit said.
This comes after Lake called on the chairman to resign on Tuesday after a separate audio leaked, reportedly showing that DeWit tried to convince her to stay out of the state's U.S. Senate race.
Newsweek was not able to independently verify the recording.
The recording, first reported by the Daily Mail, purportedly captures DeWit offering Lake money in exchange for her staying out of politics for two years.
In a statement emailed to Newsweek, Lake's campaign reiterated the audio's contents regarding DeWit's offering, adding that the former chairman has not "recognized how unethical his behavior was."
"The tape speaks for itself: The Arizona GOP Chairman Jeff DeWit attempted to bribe Kari Lake. Thankfully Kari is an extremely ethical person who rejected DeWit's multiple attempts to offer her money and corporate board seats in exchange for Kari not running for public office. She will be an incredible Senator for Arizonans. No one from the Kari Lake campaign threatened or blackmailed DeWit," Lake's campaign said in a statement.
"It is unfortunate that Dewit hasn't recognized how unethical his behavior was and still hasn't apologized to Arizona Republicans. DeWit's false claims are just par for the course. The Arizona GOP must be relieved to have his resignation. Now we can focus on getting ethical leadership and win big in 2024," Lake's campaign added.
DeWit, who previously served as state treasurer and joined the Trump 2020 campaign, raised "serious legal and moral" questions regarding the audio recording.
In his statement announcing his exit, DeWit said that the tape was "selectively edited" and used in a "deceptive" way. He claims that despite the conversation appearing against Lake, she was actually employed by him in DeWit's private company.
"Contrary to the notion of me being an enemy of Lake's, this conversation was recorded while I was actually employing Lake in my private company. In fact, for over a year and a half we had many conversations where I was looking out for her financial interests. The ethical breach in her recording of our conversation, while Lake was my employee, raises serious legal and moral concerns," the statement read.
DeWit continues by stating that since that conversation, Lake has been on a "mission to destroy" him.
"I said things I regret, but I realize when hearing Lake's recording that I was set up. I believe she orchestrated this entire situation to have control over the state party," DeWit added in his statement.
Update 01/24/24, 4:33 p.m.: This article was updated with further comment from Lake and DeWit.
About the writer
Natalie Venegas is a Weekend Reporter at Newsweek based in New York. Her focus is reporting on education, social justice ... Read more