Local opinion: What Chair Branscomb's letter reveals about Arizona politics

On April 19th, Robert Branscomb, Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party (ADP), sent a letter to the State Committee Members outlining the challenges he’s faced in the 90 days since his election. The letter quickly went viral, sparking coverage across news outlets and social media. Yet much of the response from Democrats has carried a tone of, “How dare you air our dirty laundry,” or “We never trusted him in the first place.”

Well, I’m here to say that I stand with Branscomb — and I call on every Democrat to do the same. If we’re serious about reform, we must confront the root problems that have historically plagued the Democratic party, especially in Arizona: nepotism, cronyism, racism, and self-righteousness.

I know what it feels like to be on the outside — ignored, dismissed, and intimidated by powerful party insiders. The day after I won my first election, I was told to “fall in line.” I didn’t then, and I won’t now. That’s why reading Branscomb’s statement hit me so deeply. In the letter he claims that he was being actively threatened and intimidated by Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego when he hired an Executive Director — simply for making decisions they don’t control. That’s not leadership. That’s political bullying. And it’s exactly what so many of us — especially Black leaders — are forced to navigate behind the scenes. And now, Governor Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Attorney General Kris Mayes have joined them, circling their wagons in a public attempt to discredit the first Black Chair of the ADP.

Let’s not forget — Governor Hobbs lost two-thirds of her campaign staff due to an emotionally abusive work environment, and a jury found her guilty of discrimination against a Black staffer. This is the power structure Chair Branscomb is up against. He has nothing to gain by telling the truth, while they have everything to gain by silencing him.

All Democrats should be concerned about the issues raised in this letter regarding the former Chair and Executive Director of ADP — both their conduct while serving as well as their unprofessionalism during the transition of power. Why were the top Democratic leaders so determined to keep the former chair, despite her track record? And why was her successor never given a fair chance? My guess is that the bigwigs just wanted someone to nod their head and keep the seat warm and her conduct after she lost the election was clearly an attempt to sabotage her successor.

This moment is bigger than one party leader. It’s about the persistent problems embedded in Arizona’s Democratic Party and the gatekeeping that punishes anyone who challenges the status quo — especially if they’re Black, independent, principled or unapologetic about their vision.

No one should be punished for being transparent and holding people in power accountable. No senator should be using their power to strong-arm the party into submission. And no one should stay silent while it happens.

I’m running for Tucson’s City Council in Ward 3 because we can’t afford another four years of leadership that stays silent and tiptoes around urgent issues. I don’t answer to party elites or political insiders — I answer to my community.

For two terms as an elected official, I’ve taken an oath to serve with integrity and to faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of my office—to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the state of Arizona, and to defend us against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

That oath wasn’t symbolic — it’s a daily commitment. I’m calling on every elected official, candidate and voter to remember the words of that oath and to be guided by them whether on the dais or at the polls. It’s time to speak out, stand up, and lead with courage. Our country depends on it.