Prominent Arizona GOP Member Resigns Following Leaked Tape Proposal to Kari Lake

The chairman of Arizona's Republican party has resigned after a secretly recorded tape was leaked. In the tape, Jeff DeWit is heard allegedly trying to persuade Senate candidate Kari Lake to drop out of the race. DeWit suggests that "very powerful people” want Lake out and offers her a position with a company in exchange for a two-year political "pause". However, Lake firmly refuses the offer. DeWit denies any bribery and claims the tape was selectively edited. This incident highlights concerns among Arizona Republicans that Lake's confrontational style of politics could alienate moderate voters and cost Republicans control of the Senate. Lake narrowly lost the 2022 race for Arizona governor and is now running for the seat held by independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema. Lake responded to DeWit's resignation by stating that "ethical leaders" are needed and that corruption needs to be eradicated from the party. DeWit, who worked on Donald Trump's campaigns, claimed that he was given an ultimatum by Lake's team to resign or face the release of a more damaging recording. He insists that his conversations were open and meant to provide perspective. This article also mentions the recent departures of Republican party leaders in Florida and Michigan over allegations of sexual assault and internal conflicts respectively.