A candidate running for Congress in a deep-red east Valley district claimed Maricopa County’s Republican party is backing his campaign — but the party chairman says that’s not true.
Homebuilder Daniel Keenan, one of two Republicans seeking the GOP nomination in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, sent out a press release on Monday claiming “the Maricopa County Republican Party is hosting a fundraising event for his campaign.”
“I’m honored by this outpouring of support from the Maricopa County Republican Party,” Keenan said in a statement. “Through many months of campaigning, I’ve worked hard to earn the trust of the party activists who did so much to win this seat for President Trump and are now working hard to elect me.”
Keenan is running against a more high-profile opponent in former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, who is also endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Gaining the backing of the county party, officially known as the Maricopa County Republican Committee, would give Keenan’s campaign some momentum.
But Maricopa County Republican Committee Chairman Craig Berland said the county party is not hosting a fundraiser for Keenan. He said the event was scheduled by We the People AZ Alliance, a Republican activist group that shares space with the county party.
“The MCRC currently co-occupies the same suite,” Berland said in an email. “WTP AZ is responsible for facility scheduling. The fundraiser is being hosted by the Keenan campaign.”
Shelby Busch, Maricopa County GOP first vice chair, also runs We the People AZ Alliance, an organization known for spreading conspiracies about the state’s elections.
Joseph Raetzer, Keenan’s campaign manager, did not respond to a request for comment.
The Maricopa County Republican Committee does not typically get involved in primary races, Berland said.
“Early in 2024, the MCRC made a rare exception and endorsed (Donald Trump) for President. The MCRC (executive guidance committee) body voted unanimously to do so,” he said.
The Maricopa County Republican Committee’s bylaws state that the party will not endorse candidates in competitive primary races unless at least 60% of the executive guidance committee approves the decision.
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