ARA Inaugural State Convention

The founding group of constitutional-conservative Arizona Republicans met to officially form the Arizona Republican Assembly (ARA). Approximately 100 members were present for the confirmation of founding board appointed initial state officers and the formal chartering by past California Republican Assembly (CRA) Presidents, Steve Franks and “Mike” . The past CRA Presidents presented the ARA with a letter of welcome and congratulations from former U.S. President and CRA member, Ronald Reagan.

· Saturday, May 1995 in Tucson, Arizona –

ARA Special Presidential Endorsement Convention

Approximately 100 statewide ARA delegates met to hear presentations from several Republican Presidential candidates, or their surrogates and vote on endorsement. Candidates present and speaking were Alan Keyes and Pat Buchanan, while Senator John McCain was present and speaking on behalf of Texas Senator, Phil Graham. After all had spoken and delegate spokesman made their pitches for their personal preferences, the delegates cast their endorsement votes with Buchanan receiving all but three of some 100 votes cast to gain the overwhelming ARA endorsement.

· June 1995 in Phoenix, Arizona –

ARA State Convention

Statewide ARA delegates (from among the more then 600 members) met to select the first set of elected state ARA officers. According to ARA Bylaws, officers are elected every two years during the off government-election year. In Primary-General Election years, the ARA State Convention is an Endorsement Convention for the purpose of endorsing (or not) Republican candidates for Statewide Offices and for County, or Congressional Districts that cross ARA Local Chartered Unit boundaries (generally endorsements are made in contested races, only). To make a statement of clear choice, endorsement requires a 2/3rds vote by the delegates.

· Saturday, June 14, 2003 at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in the Phoenix Metro Center –

First ARA State Convention following Census Re-Districting

Barbara Blewster was re-elected to a second term as the ARA’s fifth State President. The first four were Leo Mahoney (inaugural president); Vern Springer; John Acer and Bill Blewster.

· Saturday, January 17, 2004 at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library --

ARA Special Event with Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), Chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus. Theme:

Immigration Reform: Securing Jobs and the Benefits of Citizenship

Rep. Tancredo presented a seminar on the invasion and destruction at our southern border with Mexico, complete with night video of illegals crossing into the U.S. under cover of darkness. Video by day showed the severe property and environmental damage being done by illegals as they passed through border ranch lands and national monuments.

Representative Tancredo’s presentation was presented before a paid audience of over 150 ARA members and concerned citizens.

· Saturday, June 11, 2005 at the Chaparral Suites in Scottsdale --

ARA State Convention

Tony Mackelprang was elected as the ARA’s sixth State President. Tony became the first non-founding member to be elected as president of the ARA.

· Labor Day Weekend, September 2-5, 2005 at the Chaparral Suites in Scottsdale --

NFRA National Convention

The theme of the convention was, “Turning Up the Heat on the Left”. Between 250 and 300 delegates and guests from state Republican Assemblies across the country including among other states, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island and New Jersey in the northeast; Virginia, the Carolinas and Florida on the Atlantic Coast; through Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas in the mid-lands; and Oregon, California and Arizona in the west.

The agenda included featured lunch and banquet speakers were Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), former Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA), and Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ).

Following a welcoming speech by Arizona Secretary of State, Jan Brewer on Saturday, the agenda for the weekend Convention included over 20 speakers presenting talks on Tax Reform; the Education crisis; Health Freedom; Social Issues; the Illegal Immigration Invasion and Border Security; Media Distortion; Gun Laws and the Second Amendment; Religious Freedom; Trade Agreements and Sovereignty Issues; and Founding Fathers Thoughts and Actions among other subjects.

Speakers included, Grover Norquist (Americans for Tax Reform); Michael Chapman (American Heritage Research); State Rep. Russell Pearce, Candidate for Arizona Congressional District 8 Randy Graf, and Jim Gilchrist founder of the Minuteman Project, on Illegal Aliens and Border Control; Dr. Curt Maxwell on Health Freedom; Dr. Rick Scarborough, Norman Fox and Len Munsil on Social Issues; Alan Korwin (2^nd Amendment Expert); and William Murray on Religious Freedom among others.

Eighteen Resolutions were presented of which 14 were approved by the delegation. For the NFRA Resolutions approved, click here on Resolutions.

· Saturday, June 24, 2006 at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in the Phoenix Metro Center –

ARA 2006 Endorsing Convention

Approximately 80 ARA statewide delegates and guests met to study written answers to questionnaires (sent out a month before) and to listen to candidate presentations before delegate voting on Statewide ARA Republican Endorsements for the offices of Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Mine Inspector and Congressional Districts 7 & 8. Candidates Endorsed can be found by clicking on Endorsements.

In addition to endorsement business, our luncheon speaker was Radio Talk Show Host, Charles Goyette and the afternoon speakers covered Taxes by the Goldwater Institute; Education; Health; and a Forum on Border problems.

Since inception, it has been a tradition at ARA Conventions to conduct informational issue presentations, forums and seminars with local, regional and national experts at our afternoon and at our evening banquet (when scheduled) sessions.

· Saturday, June 16,2007 at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in the Phoenix Metro Center --

ARA State Convention

Charlotte Reed, one of ARA founders, was elected as the ARA’s seventh State President. The Luncheon speaker was Republican Presidential Candidate, Ron Paul (Rep.-TX). Afternoon speakers were Randy Pullen, State Republican Chairman; Chris Simcox, founder of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corp; Brain Turner, JBS Arizona Coordinator on the SPP/NAU; and Alan Korwin, Gun Law Expert & Author. Some 100 delegates and guests were greatly informed and entertained by Alan Korwin's "Cartridge Family" musical/political satorical group.