In the MCRC's daily newsletter, LaFaro recently promised that he and his minions will be drawing up a list of GOP committeemen who have committed treason by "endorsing and supporting non-Republicans."
These enemies of the people will be subject to retaliation, according to LaFaro, who promises to remove their voting rights as PCs and censure them in accordance with MCRC bylaws.
But LaFaro may end up choking on that plug of tobacco.
Longtime Republican activist and blogger Barbara Espinosa, who supports DuVal for governor, immediately returned fire, noting that she has given more than $30,000 to Republican candidates over the years. Though, this election cycle, she's donated $1,000 to DuVal. BLE Correction it's $2,000.00 to DuVal and to Paula Pennypacker $500.00
Espinosa mercilessly ridiculed LaFaro's threat in her blog American Freedom by Barbara, pointing to a legal opinion offered by Republican Rick Romley, when he was county attorney, that the county GOP rule cited by LaFaro conflicts with state law.
"From Republicans' point of view," she told me recently via email, "if a drug cartel lord ran for office and had an R next to [his or her] name and a minister ran and had a D next to his, I'm supposed to support the Republican."
She concluded: "Not a snowball's chance in Hell will I fall in line."
Espinosa, from Texas originally, has crossed swords with LaFaro and the county party before -- and won.
Earlier this year, after she purchased a handful of domain names featuring the words "Maricopa County Republican Committee," LaFaro accused her of "criminal activity" in an online screed, and the MCRC threatened to sue her.
But Espinosa ultimately won the tussle, both because LaFaro's accusation was bull and because she had the cash to go to court if necessary, unlike the county GOP.
Don't get me wrong, A.J., your antics are hella amusing to write about.
But if I were you, pardner, I wouldn't be messin' with a rich lady from Texas.
Unless you like the feel of her boot on your backside.
Email stephen.lemons@newtimes.com.
