Elections
Arizona House candidate faces scrutiny over Jan. 6 presence and militia ties
PN Team • 2 months ago
Paul Carver, a Republican running for a competitive Arizona House seat in a swing district, is facing renewed scrutiny over his ties to far-right paramilitary groups and his presence in Washington, D.C. during the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Carver, board president of the Deer Valley Unified School District, has deleted Facebook posts appearing to show him at the Capitol that day, and Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes testified he had dinner with Carver the night before the attack. Reporting also links Carver to leadership of the Arizona chapter of the Three Percenters, a paramilitary group, from 2021 to 2022.
Democratic incumbent Stephanie Simacek, Carver's opponent, has criticized his extremist ties as disqualifying for a district she says wants stability. Despite the controversy, Republican House Speaker Steve Montenegro's leadership PAC has spent heavily to support Carver's campaign. Carver has declined interview requests. The race is seen as pivotal to control of the Arizona House.
Sources:
Sentiment
- Republican Party (United States) A Republican candidate faces scandal over Jan. 6 and militia ties, and the Republican Speaker's PAC is funding him despite the controversy.
- Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. is referenced as the site of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot tied to the candidate's controversy.
- Democratic Party (United States) Democratic incumbent Simacek is portrayed favorably as criticizing extremist ties for stability.
- Arizona Arizona is the setting of the political race, mentioned factually without direct reputational harm to the state.