Kelli Ward to lead Arizona Republican Party after upset

In doing so, Republicans from across the state on Saturday chose a more right-wing vision headed into the 2020 election cycle where Arizona is poised to reach battleground status.

The election could have far-reaching implications for how the party messages to voters and how it spends money on races.

Ward’s ouster of Lines also raises questions about the state party’s relationship in the near future with the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee. Spokespeople for the groups either did not respond to the newspaper’s request for comment or declined to talk.