March 2026 President's Message

February 2026

On February 26 through 28, 2026, the Arizona Federation of Republican Women (AzFRW) held its Winter Board of Directors Meeting in Tucson, Arizona.  The agenda was well planned, loaded with empowering workshops and inspirational messages, carefully crafted with Leadership topics to position women for 2026 success, designed to engage with our Legislators on important initiatives, featured strategic presentations for winning in 2026, and was full of fellowship and fun!  The Winter Meeting reflected the strength, unity, and dedication of Republican women across Arizona. As we look toward 2026, AzFRW leaders are informed, organized, and ready to continue advancing conservative principles in our communities and throughout our state.  Let’s be active participants in supporting our leaders, candidates and State.

A recurring theme throughout this event was UNITY!  Mercedes Schlapp, a featured Guest Speaker at Saturday’s luncheon, is a prominent political and policy expert and media commentator.  She is currently the Vice President for Communications at CPAC, expanding the organization’s impact nationally and overseas.  Her most important message to Arizona Republican Women is to unify behind our candidates and support those Republicans who ultimately win the Primary.  We have a lot at stake nationally and within Arizona, and the Left is ready to pounce and disparage Republicans whenever they have the chance.  Let’s not give them the ammunition to further divide and criticize us.  It seems every upcoming election is dubbed “the most important election of our lifetime.”  Well, that continues to be true year after year, especially when fueled by our own divisions, lack of mutual respect, and refusal to find common ground in order to preserve Republican principles and values. Let’s encourage each other to rise above our differences and ensure that Arizona stays red!

On the other hand, there was a small, bright, flickering light that appeared the evening of Tuesday, February 24^th, when President Trump delivered his State of the Union address.  The Republican caucus actually demonstrated unity among themselves, cheering, standing and applauding many of the President’s messages, while the Democrats sat stone-faced, looked angry (AZ Senator Mark Kelly), and shouted disrespectfully at the President.  And those were the ones who showed up as opposed to those who decided they should be somewhere else (AZ Senator Ruben Gallego).  President Trump was a master at calling them out, for the whole country and the world to see, especially when he challenged everyone to stand in support of the following statement: “Please stand if you believe the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”  There certainly was a very sharp contrast between the reactions of Republicans and Democrats, not only then but also during the significant, touching and honorable recognition given to the victorious US Hockey Team, the severely wounded warriors, the elder statesmen veterans, and the victims of harm imposed by illegal aliens.  President Trump was strong, determined and forceful in summarizing the phenomenal achievements of his Administration over the first year of his second term.

As Republicans, we have a lot at stake in 2026.  Let’s not take our foot off the gas.  We need to continue to fight for our freedoms, be mindful of our surroundings, and work tirelessly towards the goal of regaining our Republican majorities in Arizona.  The NUMBER 1 PRIORITY and IMMEDIATE ACTION needed is to sign petitions for our Republican candidates up and down the ballot.  We can sign petitions:

• In person (as we have candidate tables at our PVRW luncheons),

• Online on the E-Qual website:  https://apps.azsos.gov/equal/

• Actively support your chosen candidate by taking their petitions and obtaining signatures on their behalf,

• Encourage others to sign candidate petitions.

Keep in mind that the Arizona Primary election has moved up by 2 weeks to July 21^st, giving the candidates a shorter timeframe to obtain their signatures to be on the ballot.  They must have their required signatures submitted by March 23^rd.  So do your best to support them by providing your signatures, resulting in getting them on the ballot!

Thank you for your continued support of Prescott Valley Republican Women.   Our collective efforts will be crucial to the resulting outcome.  Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, March 5^th for another educational and empowering event!