Christian Lamar was suspended on June 24 from attending Arizona Legislative District 2 meetings, where he remains a precinct committeeman and member-at-large for the state’s 8th Congressional District. The body voted overwhelmingly for his suspension, with margins of 80-16 barring access to the legislative district and 76-23 to revoke his state committeeman status.
“I was just expelled as the only Black Republican from AZGOP executive committee by RINOs in AZGOP LD2 for: supporting President Trump, signing up 285 new Trump Precinct Committeemen & holding the Republican AZ state legislature accountable for allowing 2020/2022 stolen elections,” Lamar posted on X (Twitter).
The Arizona Sun Times spoke to Lamar (pictured above) in late June, he said once the legislative district revoked his state committeeman status, he automatically lost his member-at-large status.
AZGOP Chairwoman Gina Swoboda clarified the status of Lamar’s Member-At-Large position for the 8th Congressional District to The Sun Times. The Chairwoman was adamant that Lamar could not be expelled from being a member-at-large nor a PC by the LD. She also added that she had not been contacted by either Lamar or the LD.
“Christian Lamar is and remains the AZGOP member-at-large for CD8,” Swoboda said; adding, “The body of the precinct committeemen in LD2 have every right to take such actions as they deem appropriate at the LD level; however, the MAL position falls under AZGOP, and Mr. Lamar remains in that position until the next officer elections.”
Paul Carver, chairman of Legislative District 2, told The Sun Times on June 25 that Lamar “was banned from attending LD2 meetings through October 31, 2024.” The Sun Times was also given access to view internal documents regarding the suspension. The memos that predate the incident do not indicate an expulsion but a temporary suspension for access to the LD would be recommended to the body for their vote.
Carver also said after Oct 31, the newly elected precinct committeemen could determine his fate. He explained that this decision came “after 18 months” of trying to get “Mr. Lamar to comply with our bylaws and Robert’s Rules of Order.” Carver stated that Lamar repeatedly refused to follow the rules and frequently disrupted meetings.
Carver explained that “Lamar’s expulsion had nothing to do with censures.” The chairman noted that “many of Lamar’s censures were passed by the body” when they were properly noticed and placed on the agenda.
“This was done by grassroots, Trump supporting PCs. This was done by people who knock on doors, engage their neighbors, register voters, and actually work to elect good conservatives,” he said.
The legislative district board members told The Sun Times that they supported Christian during his unsuccessful campaign in 2022.
The AZGOP and the LD confirm Lamar is still an elected precinct committeeman and member-at-large.
Nonetheless, Lamar told The Sun Times that it was “bad optics” for the legislative district to take this action against one of the few black persons in leadership within the Arizona GOP. He denied playing the race card and said “it’s just the facts.”
Lamar stated that he has signed up over 265 people to be precinct committeemen. According to Lamar, the job of precinct committeemen is to increase voter turnout, get quality candidates, and make sure the Republican platform is upheld.
“Republican AZ state legislature is refusing to protect the 2024 election, in an election year where the GOP has the most consequential political candidate in 165 years, President Donald J Trump,” Lamar said.
He added that “RINO” precinct committeemen expelled him “because they are protecting the RINOs in the state legislature.”
Carver said that at the May Legislative District 2 meeting, “Lamar stood for 67 minutes shouting over candidates and reports when the chair refused to recognize him because he had demonstrated a desire to derail the meeting.”
Carver detailed the disruptions that occurred, including a videotaped physical altercation, which caused the legislative district to lose the use of their meeting space.
A member of Legislative District 2 told The Sun Times that he or she was upset “at the whole thing” and wished Lamar had left race out of it.
“That’s not what Republicans do. At least 20 of us worked very hard for Lamar when he ran for office, doing everything we could for him. After he lost his race, he became a different person. Everyone is very sad about the situation,” the LD member said.
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Christy Kelly is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Christy on Twitter / X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Christian Lamar” by Christian Lamar for Arizona. Background Photo “Arizona State Capitol Building” by Arizona Capitol Museum.
