AZGOP EVENT WITH GOPAC CHAIRMAN MICHAEL STEELE A SUCCESS

Former Maryland Lt. Governor raises AZGOP $25,000

Phoenix, AZ - Focusing on building and training the Republican “farm team,” former Maryland Lt. Governor and Chairman of GOPAC, Michael Steele, was in town yesterday to lend his support to Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen and help the party raise over $25,000 at a fundraising reception at Donovan’s of Phoenix.

“We must recommit to building our base and undertake the responsibility to recruit, field and train Republicans at the local level, so that down the road we have qualified candidates ready and waiting to run for office on the statewide or federal level,” said Steele.

Steele continued, “In any community, whether it be here in Arizona, or Maryland where I’m from, or New York, or Florida, or Illinois, I think the real rising stars in the Republican Party are the men and women who are running for local office in 2008. Whether it be those running for mayor, or state legislator, or county supervisor the party has to focus on grooming its candidates for the future, grooming the next generation of leaders as Newt Gingrich did in 1986.”

“I think it’s great that Chairman Steele was able to join us in Arizona. I appreciate all of GOPAC’s efforts around the country to help elect Republicans and I look forward to our continued partnership as we work to grow the party and win election after election throughout Arizona,” said Pullen. “Michael Steele is a committed, effective, and very charismatic leader. I believe he is the right spokesman to deliver the Republican message of lower taxes, stronger families, safer communities, and secure borders throughout the country.”

GOPAC was originally founded in 1978 by Pete Du Pont as a vehicle to elect Republicans to state and local office. Newt Gingrich later took the helm of the organization and laid the groundwork for the eventual Republican takeover of Congress in 1994. Michael Steele took the reigns of the organization earlier this year.

For more information, please contact Brett Mecum at 602.957.7770 or at [email protected].

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