John Gillette AZ -Rep (Ret)

I’ve spent the last few days criticizing the direction of the Arizona Republican Party. So let me explain what I actually want to do about it. I’m a conservative, a Republican precinct committeeman, and I’ve knocked on over 600 doors and helped register hundreds of voters. And I’m tired of watching us lose elections we should at least be competitive in. But I’m equally tired of MAGA, establishment, and McCain Republicans spending more time fighting each other than figuring out why we’re losing. Nobody is teaching anybody a lesson by losing another election. Everyone, myself included, needs to get over themselves. Here’s my plan. First, we start at the precinct level. Get Republicans back into their communities YEAR-ROUND. Talk to people. Hold town halls. Listen to Democrats, independents, young voters, and people who’ve given up on politics entirely. Second, rebuild our candidate pipeline. Recruit competent, principled conservatives who understand policy, communicate effectively, and can actually govern. Stop choosing candidates based on factional loyalty. Third, conduct a serious, independent review of our election failures. Examine endorsements, consultants, campaign spending, turnout, and candidate performance. Nobody gets immunity from accountability because they’re influential or politically connected. Fourth, develop an actual governing agenda centered on affordability, homeownership, water, education, small businesses, and economic opportunity. And finally, measure the results. Start with one precinct, expand to legislative districts, and build a statewide strategy for 2028 based on what actually works. Here’s what I fundamentally believe. Arizona isn’t permanently blue. It isn’t permanently red either. Arizonans have demonstrated they’re willing to vote for candidates from either party. They’ve also demonstrated they believe moderation is weak and ineffective. We should stop treating Democratic communities like they’re off-limits. Walk into those neighborhoods. Have conversations. Understand their concerns. You don’t have to abandon conservatism to treat somebody who disagrees with you like a human being. And for God’s sake, stop assuming voters owe us their loyalty. I want Republicans back in power because I believe conservative principles improve people’s lives. But if we want that responsibility, we have to demonstrate that we’re capable of earning it. That means holding ourselves accountable just as aggressively as we hold Democrats accountable. I’m planning to begin hosting open community town halls in January 2027, and I’m already speaking with people across Arizona who want to help build something better. I’m not interested in creating another Republican faction. We have enough of those. I want to help build a Republican Party that’s competent, principled, serious about governing, and actually worth voting for. We don’t rebuild Arizona by winning another argument inside the Republican Party. We rebuild it by earning the confidence of Arizonans. I’m starting in my own community. Who’s willing to do the same? - Rob the Builder Rebuilding the American Dream.