Arizona Republicans Withdraw from Event Linked to White-Nationalist Group

Several prominent Arizona Republicans have pulled back from a scheduled December gathering with Republicans for National Renewal (RNR), following reporting that exposed the group’s ties to white-nationalist networks.

The event, called the “Christmas Crusade,” was promoted as a holiday-season get-together arranged by RNR alongside NicoPAC, a political action committee led by local conservative activist Nico Delgado, who works as a special assistant to GOP Congressman Abe Hamadeh. The gathering was to follow Turning Point USA’s “AmericaFest,” slated for December 18–21 in Phoenix.

Reporting by Arizona Mirror revealed that RNR’s founder and grassroots director, Shane Trejo, serves as an administrator in a Telegram chat populated by self-described neo-Nazis. RNR’s executive director, Mark Ivanyo, previously appeared at the extremist America First Political Action Conference (AFPAC) in 2024.

In response, several GOP lawmakers publicly distanced themselves from the gathering, saying they were unaware their names had been used in event promotions and disavowing any connection to extremist ideology.

• Warren Petersen, Arizona Senate President, said he “was invited by NicoPAC” and demanded his name be removed.

• Jeff Weninger of Chandler stated he did not know who was behind the group when invited.

• Rachel Keshel of Tucson said she was unfamiliar with the event and had “zero affiliation with that scumbag Nick Fuentes or anyone in his circle.”

• David Marshall, R-Snowflake, also declined to participate.

Not all Republicans backed out. David Rose, running for the Arizona House, said he reviewed RNR’s platform, which includes support for an amendment to allow a third presidential term, and claimed he found nothing “outside of normal center-right issue positions.” He denounced the reporting as “guilt by association.”

Republican state Reps. Ralph Heap and Quang Nguyen did not respond to a request for comment about the event. Neither did Elijah Norton, a Republican running for State Treasurer nor Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Scottsdale who is listed as a speaker at the event.

RNR’s past events have drawn national scrutiny. Their 2023 Phoenix gathering infamously erupted in racial and homophobic slurs directed at conservative activist Rob Smith, prompting a backlash even from within conservative circles.

As extremists increasingly seek to infiltrate legitimate conservative institutions, this episode serves as a reminder that vigilance remains essential. Public officials must be held accountable for the associations they tacitly endorse.