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Republican Arizona State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita has repeatedly supported voter suppression laws in her state under the guise of election integrity, including Senate Bill 1083, which would have lowered the threshold for recounts in Arizona elections. She's also supported photo ID requirements for voters and other stances proven to reduce participation at the ballot box.
But within the Republican party, loyalty to former President Donald Trump is non-negotiable.
Though Ugenti-Rita is a supporter of Trump's, she voted against another voter suppression bill from her colleague, State Sen. Kelly Townsend, that would've granted broader state powers in monitoring signature discrepancies.
Ugenti-Rita has also recently spoken out against the ongoing partisan audit of Maricopa County, Arizona's ballots—an audit that Trump supporters hope will somehow vindicate the former President for his lies about the validity of the 2020 election.
That opposition came to a boil this past weekend when Ugenti-Rita attempted to deliver a speech at a conference for the conservative political action committee, Turning Point USA.
She was inundated with boos from the moment she hit the stage.
PHOENIX AZ: @MichelleUgenti booed off stage the moment she walked out at The Turning Point Action Election integrit… https://t.co/2zYE4brkyM— Drew Hernandez (@Drew Hernandez) 1627160265.0
Arizona State Senator and candidate for Arizona Secretary of State @MichelleUgenti booed off stage at Trump rally i… https://t.co/fWUaP9oNfk— Michael Edgecomb (@Michael Edgecomb) 1627159723.0
The State Senator gave up on giving her prepared remarks, and instead plugged her run for Arizona Secretary of State before vacating the stage:
"Fine. I am running to be your next Secretary of State. I'm going to win the primary. Thank you very much."
In a lengthy Twitter thread, Ugenti-Rita attempted to insist on her devotion to so-called election integrity.
I’ve been on the frontlines of the battle for election integrity for the last 10 years. I wrote the law banning bal… https://t.co/3yEjGQwReh— Michelle Ugenti-RITA (@Michelle Ugenti-RITA) 1627177657.0
something every candidate on that stage praised. I'll put my record of fighting for election integrity up against anyone. What I won't do is vote for “show" legislation that does nothing to strengthen election integrity and introduced for self serving reasons. (2of5)
— Michelle Ugenti-RITA (@MichelleUgenti) July 25, 2021
There's too much at stake. Our election system is under constant assault by the left, and I won't support bills that fail to strengthen our election system.
The same holds true for the audit. I supported the audit, but I do not support the Trump audit any longer. (3of5)
— Michelle Ugenti-RITA (@MichelleUgenti) July 25, 2021
I wanted to review our election processes and see what, if anything, could be improved. Sadly, it's now become clear that the audit has been botched. The total lack of competence by @FannKfann over the last 5 months has deprived the voters of Arizona a comprehensive…(4of5)
— Michelle Ugenti-RITA (@MichelleUgenti) July 25, 2021
accounting of the 2020 election. That's inexcusable, but it shows what can happen when Republicans do not take election integrity deadly serious. (5of5)
— Michelle Ugenti-RITA (@MichelleUgenti) July 25, 2021
But the MAGA crowd isn't convinced, and they're blasting her with one of Trump's favorite insults: RINO, or "Republican in Name Only."
RINO loser https://t.co/XHUoQ0C7dl— Steve Mackie (@Steve Mackie) 1627237338.0
Michelle betrayed her constituents. RINOS will not be supported. You will not win another election. It is time for… https://t.co/AD8L6Z8ta9— Gretchen Smith (@Gretchen Smith) 1627226611.0
10 Years A RINO! Get Lost... https://t.co/1GeqhLPy2k— Bri Wes (@Bri Wes) 1627239467.0
You got Booed off the stage at the Trump Rally. We're done with you Rino Republicans. https://t.co/jt19rI7usO— TT45Forever (@TT45Forever) 1627223467.0
She wasn't met with sympathy from Trump's critics either.
Unleash a mob and it will turn on you. https://t.co/2HxPBRSKlu— Misha Lawless (@Misha Lawless) 1627250891.0
It’s a cult. If you don’t fully agree with Trump’s lies, the trump cult wants you canceled. Damn hypocrites.… https://t.co/8va0JJTa7V— G. (@G.) 1627233039.0
And so ? She knew what she was getting into. She cannot pretend to be shocked or offended. She wanted to have i… https://t.co/hIiYLfGDjZ— Pshaw! (@Pshaw!) 1627223970.0
It funny when those complaining the loudest about "cancel Culture" and "shutting down speech" do this. https://t.co/OwaJEAbtsg— Aric Isaacs (@Aric Isaacs) 1627221794.0
It's unclear if the souring on the State Senator at Turning Point will spill over to the Secretary of State primary.