Will Wendy Rogers' support of candidate facing stolen valor claims hurt her election chances?

A candidate in a packed Republican legislative primary election in Arizona stands accused of stolen valor and racism – but one powerful GOP ally continues to stand by him in spite of those allegations.

Steve Slaton, who owns a Donald Trump-themed retail store in Show Low, is one of six Republicans running for two seats in the Arizona House of Representatives out of Legislative District 7, an expansive district that covers parts of Coconino, Gila, Navajo and Pinal counties.

Slaton is also an Army veteran, but critics have accused him of embellishing his record by claiming to have seen combat during the Vietnam War.

The Mountain Daily Star reported Slaton presented a copy of what he claims are his official Army discharge papers to a radio show host that purports to back up that claim.

But, the Mountain Daily Star then received a conflicting copy of Slaton’s discharge papers from the National Archives and Records Administration and Guardians of the Green Beret, a group that investigates stolen valor claims.

According to the newspaper, that copy of the papers does not include several items listed on the document provided by Slaton, including several medals, and shows he was stationed in Korea but did not see combat in Vietnam.

Slaton did not respond to a request for comment but told The Arizona Republic he believes the second discharge form cited by his critics is a fake and that he is the victim of identity theft.

The allegations led the Navajo County Republican Committee to call for Slaton to drop out of the race on June 23.

A loyal ally

Amid the criticism, state Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff), who is running for reelection in LD7, has stood by Slaton’s side. Rogers, an Air Force veteran, has endorsed Slaton for one of the district’s open House seats.

“Vote to re-elect Wendy Rogers and vote for Steve Slaton to ensure we secure our borders, secure our elections and protect our gun rights,” Rogers posted on social media on June 30.

The allegations of stolen valor aren’t the only controversy that has dogged Slaton’s campaign. Republican Ari Bradshaw, who is running for the legislature in north Phoenix’s Legislative District 2, accused Slaton of using racial slurs when speaking about another Republican candidate in the LD7 race – incumbent Rep. David Marshall, who is Black.

Again, Rogers came to Slaton’s defense.

The Mountain Daily Star obtained a recording of a phone call in which Rogers tries to convince Bradshaw to stop speaking negatively about Slaton. Rogers also accused Bradshaw of defaming Slaton.

“It’s not defamatory if I’ve heard him say that in front of me. I’ve heard him call [Rep. Marshall] the n-word literally in front of me,” Bradshaw responded.

“You are really playing with fire here,” Rogers responded, “and I can’t help you anymore if you continue to put stuff out that is incendiary.”

Bradshaw did not respond to a request for comment, but confirmed the legitimacy of the recording on social media.

MAGA infighting

Rogers’ support for Slaton could be impacting her own election.

According to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, a group called Arizona First spent over $261,000 on advertising opposing Rogers on June 25.

Arizona First’s funding appears to come from organized labor. Campaign finance records show that funding is routed through several political action committees, but ultimately comes from Residents for Accountability, a PAC funded by the Arizona Pipe Trades 469 labor union.

Arizona First spent that money on McShane LLC, a Republican firm tied to two far right Arizona Republican congressmen, Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs.

Both were thought to be Rogers’ allies.

Rogers did not respond to a request for comment, but her nephew, Spence Rogers – owner of a Republican consulting firm that’s received payments from both Rogers' and Slaton’s campaigns – lashed out at McShane LLC founder Rory McShane.

“Why are you working with that scuzz ball [sic] Rory McShane? He is taking dem dark money to attack [Wendy Rogers]. Fire that fat deep state bum immediately,” Spence Rogers wrote in a social media post directed to Gosar.

The outside spending could undermine one of Rogers’ biggest advantages over Rep. David Cook (R-Globe), her opponent in the Republican LD 7 Senate primary election.

Rogers, the most prolific fundraiser in Arizona legislative campaign history, raised over $786,000 so far this campaign season, according to campaign finance reports.

By comparison, Cook’s campaign has raised around $134,000 – a substantial amount for a legislative race, but significantly less than Rogers’ haul.

But Cook isn’t facing the same outside opposition that’s now coming after Rogers. According to the Arizona secretary of state, $44,000 has been spent by outside groups backing Cook’s campaign, while $0 has been spent opposing him.

Rogers still appears to have the support of the state Republican Party.

According to a termination letter, the Arizona GOP fired staff member Scott Kissee, himself a veteran, on July 9 for confronting Rogers about the allegations against Slaton on a northern Arizona radio show.

“Wendy Rogers called in to defend him,” Kissee said in a conversation posted online with the Guardian of Valor, a group that investigates stolen valor claims. “I politely and professionally stood up to her, and the next day I was looking for a new job.”

A spokesperson for the Republican Party of Arizona did not respond to a request for comment.