Audio: AZ GOP chair purportedly offers to pay Kari Lake to drop Senate bid

Leaked audio obtained by the Daily Mail purportedly features a conversation between Arizona Republican Chair Jeff DeWit and Senate candidate Kari Lake, R. In the conversation, which has since circulated social media, DeWit appears to inquire about offering Lake money to “take a pause.”

According to the Pew Research Center, Americans have long believed that major political donors and special interest groups influence U.S. elections and politicians, with money playing the leading role.

“References to the influence of money and concerns about corruption are some of the most frequently cited critiques of the political system, and many Americans see monetary gain as a reason why most elected officials seek office to begin with,” the report said.

Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.

Point phone camera here

The Daily News characterized the offer as a bribe.

“Is there a number at which…” DeWit said in the recording as Lake jumped in.

“I can be bought?” Lake asked. “That’s what it’s about?”

“You can take a pause for a couple of years and then go right back to it,” DeWit said.

“No,” Lake replied.

While the recording has yet to be independently verified, Lake was heard pushing back, telling DeWit that the powers that be, which have not been identified other than being from the “east,” should want to back her bid for office, not push her out.

“There are very powerful people that want to keep you out,” DeWit said.

“I know they do,” Lake replied.

“But they are willing to put their money where their mouth is in a big way,” DeWit said.

Lake stood firm that no amount of money or threats could scare her off.

“$10 million, $20 million, $30? No. No. No. A billion? No,” Lake said. “This is not about money. This is about our country.”

The audio goes on as DeWit tells Lake to keep quiet about their conversation, which leads Lake to say she is going stand behind Donald Trump and fight back against alleged corruption.

“All these consultants don’t want their payday to end, and I don’t want to make a deal with these kind of people,” Lake said. “This is a hill worth dying on.”

Since the recording was leaked, Lake and other Republicans have called for DeWit’s resignation.

According to the Straight Arrow News Media Miss™ tool, this story is a Media Miss for the Left. The Media Landscape indicates that while left-leaning and center-oriented outlets are covering this story, fewer right-leaning outlets are reporting on the topic.

According to outlets reporting on this story, Lake, DeWit, and the Arizona GOP have not responded to requests for comment.

Kari Lake, who pushed former President Donald Trump’s 2020 election fraud lies, lost her bid for Arizona governor in 2022 and is now in a tight race for an Arizona Senate seat. A January poll had Lake leading her opponent, Congressman Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., in a head-to-head match-up if incumbent Kyrsten Sinema, an independent, decides not to run for reelection.

Straight Arrow News strives to provide unbiased, fact-based news in addition to offering a comprehensive look at how the media is covering stories that matter most. Learn more about the Media Miss™ tool and decide for yourself.