Following a poor showing in the 2024 election, Arizona Democrats have elected a new party leader.
Democrats elected vice chair Robert Branscomb as their new chairman when the state party met on Saturday. He ousted Yolanda Bejarano, the outgoing chair, in a landslide.
Bejarano touted her fundraising prowess in a reelection bid, and had the backing of top Democratic officials, including Gov. Katie Hobbs. But rank-and-file Democrats demanded change after losses up and down the ballot in November.
Branscomb, who previously served as vice chair under Bejarano, emphasized the need to focus on grassroots organizing, not just fundraising.
“Being chair of ADP is more than just fundraising and cutting checks to the county parties. Those things are important, yes, but they’re not the end. They’re the means to a bigger vision,” Branscomb said in a debate video. “My vision for the party is rooted in the idea that we need to bring back the working class.”
Branscomb also said the party needs to connect better with rural parts of Arizona, form a more cohesive strategy and get control of the party’s messaging.
“We let the republicans define who we are and what we’re about and let them hijack that they’re the working party for the people and that’s not true,” he said.
Democrats also ousted party treasurer Rick McGuire. Some party officials recently accused McGuire and Bejarano of self-dealing, a controversy born out of a contract McGuire signed with the Democratic Party for services outside his role as treasurer, the Arizona Republic reported last week.
Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a joint statement thanking Bejarano and congratulating Branscomb.
“Let’s look ahead to 2026 with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. The work starts now, and we look forward to working alongside the new chair and the entire Arizona Democratic Party,” they said.
