Community News of District Events
Community News broadcasts and highlights the recent events of our tremendously active Precinct Committeemen and tireless Legislative District 12 (LD12) volunteers. If you have news where LD12 Republican members are active in the Community, send us a note using the VOLUNTEER online form.
2026 June LD12 Meeting
Guest Speakers - Election 2026: For AZ Treasurer - Elijah Norton and Kathrine Haley. LD12 Independent for AZ Senate - Anthony Ramirez. Election of 2nd Vice Chair to replace Denise Babayan.
Here is the entire video that was only partially shown at the meeting.
Patty Porter chaired the meeting on 9 June 2026 held at Generations Church. Reports were given by the board. Patty Porter, 1st Vice Chair, ran the meeting. The District elected a new 2nd Vice Chair as Denise Babayan is moving out of District 12.
Patty Porter opens the meeting our chair, Greg Dutton, was out of town. Two candidates for 2nd Vice chair, Jason Petzke and Joe DiFiore spoke to the PC's.
Carole Wilson gave updates on the Food Drive, Raffle and other fund raising efforts.
Candidates for AZ State Treasurer spoke.
With no Republican candidate running for LD12 State Senate - Independent Anthony Ramirez spoke at the meeting. Hand count vote results were announced and Jason Petzke is the new 2nd Vice Chair.
2026 May LD12 Meeting
Guest Speakers - Sergio Arellano, Shelli Boggs, and Les Presmyk. Greg Dutton chaired the meeting on 12 May 2026 held at the MCRC HQ. Reports were given by the board. Patty Porter, 1st Vice Chair, presented our guest speakers after the business meeting.
Meeting held at the MCRC Headquarters,
Board members gave their reports.
Chair Dutton praised Ron Yee's work on creating palm cards for Election 2026!
Patty Porter and Carole Wilson gave noteworthy updates
Verde Canyon Railroad Trip Raffle!
Drawing in Augusthttps://rumble.com/embed/v76nl1k/?pub=11uabg
Sergio Arellano (AZGOP Chairman) gave a summary of the AZGOP initiatives for Election 2026. Shelli Boggs (Maricopa School Superintendent) gave an update on the local Schools.
Les Presmyk (AZ Mine Inspector) gave an informative presentation on the AZ Mine Inspector and painted a bright future for mining in AZ. (Watch video for info - hint: AZ is a significant contributor to world production)
Other speakers gave updates (TARs).
2026 April LD12 Meeting
Guest Speakers - Mark Stewart, Jeff Weninger and Lisa Askey. Greg Dutton chaired the meeting on 12 April 2026, and reports were given by 1st Vice Chair Patty Porter, 4th Vice Chair Kurt Gearhart, and Treasurer Theron Taylor. Denise Babayan, 2nd Vice Chair, presented our guest speakers after the business meeting.
Board members gave their reports.
Chairman Greg Dutton
Patty Porter, Carole Wilson, and Kurt Gearhart all gave updates. A scheduled update for election workers and monitors this Saturday.
David Richardson, our candidate for State House, gave an update on his campaign. He has met the threshold for signatures and with the additional $5 donations tonight, hopefully to qualify for his Clean Elections Fund.
Supervisor Mark Stewart spoke about the Maricopa Board of Supervisors' recent actions and was asked about the new voting machines.
Other speakers.
Craig Berland - Discussed the recent Whistleblower Event held by We the People USA Aliance.
2026 March LD12 Meeting
Greg Dutton chaired the March meeting on 10 Mar 2026, and reports were given by 1st Vice Chair Patty Porter, 4th Vice Chair Kurt Gearhart, and Treasurer Theron Taylor. Denise Babayan, 2nd Vice Chair, presented our guest speakers after the business meeting.
Board members gave their reports.
Chairman Greg Dutton
David Richardson, our candidate for State House, gave an update on his campaign. He has met the threshold for signatures, but he needs more $5 donations to qualify for his Clean Elections Fund. Please use the link below to donate and sign his petition if you haven't already done so to help him reach the requirements.
Jason Petzke spoke about the Ahwatukee Spring Fling, which is coming up on April 4. LD 12 will again have a booth and a float in the parade. This event is always a great time for us to show our patriotism and share information with voters. Volunteers are needed to help build the float and work in the booth.
Supervisor Mark Stewart spoke about the Maricopa Board of Supervisors' recent actions as they relate to Recorder Justin Heap.
Several candidates spoke to us about their campaigns and how we can get involved.
SRP candidates Nina Mullins and Kelly Cooper spoke to us about the two ballots that have begun arriving in the mail. The blue ballot is for Association candidates and the white one is for District candidates. The election is April 7 and ballots can be mailed or dropped off at 1500 N. Mill Avenue in Tempe, where in person voting is also available.
Link to Video
2026 February LD12 Meeting
Programs: PHX City Council-Evans, Lauer, AZ Senate-Johnston, SRP-Mullins, Dobson.
Greg Dutton chaired the February meeting on 10 Feb 2026.
Awards for Outstanding PCs.
Chairman Greg Dutton
Lisa Taylor was named Outstanding PC of the Year, and Outstanding PCs include Theresa Bauer, Mario Ramirez, Jason Petzke, Chevy Frantz, Carrie Heikkala, and Diane Feldhacker (not pictured).
LD 12 Leadership Awards for 2025 were presented to Carrie Heikkala, Summer Baker, Kim Duncan, Chevy Frantz, Caroline Coler (not pictured), and John McTighe (not pictured). The awards were presented by 1st Chair Patty Porter.
Steve Schafer spoke to us about the National Association of Parliamentarians and how important it is that we all learn Robert's Rules of Order. A workshop will be held on Saturday, March 7th (see flyer).
Event Flyer
Phoenix City Council Candidates Matt Evans and Zach Lauer spoke to us about their campaigns. They are on the "Take Back Phoenix" slate.
Zach Lauer - Phoenix City Council Candidate - District 4
Message box contents...
Marcus Johnston, candidate for LD 12 AZ Senate, spoke to us about his campaign and the reasons he is running.
Nina Mullins, candidate for SRP Board Director and Chris Dobson, candidate for SRP President, spoke to us about the April 7 election, and the issues that are at stake.
Candidate for SRP Board Director - Nina Mullins
No LD Meeting – January 2026
Mandatory MCRC meeting on 10 Jan 2026 for all Maricopa Republican PC's
Photos from 2025
LD 12 Meeting – 9 Dec 2025
Greg Dutton chaired the Legislative District 12 meeting on 9 December 2025. This was a quick business meeting followed by speeches from several candidates who are running for office in 2026.
The officer reports were brief and Greg presented the outgoing Credentials Chair, Carol Getz, with flowers and a gift for her excellent work over the past few years. 
Carole Wilson and her crew of volunteers made extra fund raising efforts before the meeting with buttons, Christmas baskets, delicious snacks, and decorations for sale. Other volunteers were the Sergeants at Arms, the credentialing team, and the 50/50 raffle ticket sales team.
The holiday donation drive was amazing! LD12 responded with over 1,000 pounds for St. Mary's Food Bank for the year as well as more gifts for the Church's "Chosen" toy drive!
Our program included guest speakers Greg Roeberg, candidate for AZ Attorney General, Sergio Arellano for AZ GOP Chairman, and David Richardson, candidate for LD12 AZ House of Representatives.
The meeting closed with the 50/50 Raffle, which was won by Kurt Gearhart. Kurt donated his winnings to the LD.
LD 12 Meeting – 11 Nov 2025
Greg Dutton chaired the Legislative District 12 meeting on 11 November 2025, despite having had surgery that morning. Greg recognized our Veterans as did our singer for the National Anthem, Joe DiFiore. The officers were brief in their reports as we had a full evening of proposals and speakers.
Carole Wilson and her crew of volunteers made extra fund raising efforts before the meeting with buttons, Fall baskets, delicious Christmas snacks, and decorations for sale.
The holiday Donation Drive was amazing! LD12 responded with just short of 200 lbs. of Christmas cheer for Generation church's Holiday drive as well as food supplies for St. Mary's Food bank.
Board members presented their reports.
First Vice Chair Patty Porter discussed projects and events for the upcoming election year - 2026.
Carole Wilson, 3rd Vice Chair, displayed remaining Fall baskets and button fund raisers with a reminder that they are posted on the website Shop section. She also thanks everyone for the donations brought today to the event. Carole thanked all the PC's who help collect the signs after the 3 November election. Carole and other PC's conducted Hand Count training for LD26 yesterday and we are reminded that the MCRC has hand count training tomorrow (Wed., 12 Nov) and other times in the future to be posted.
Fundraising Links - Only 11 baskets remain from over 50! Get one before they are all gone!
Our program included guest speakers Bob Branch, candidate for AZGOP Chairman, and Maricopa County Recorder, Justin Heap who explained the progress he has made in securing our elections for the 2nd largest US county (population wise) as well as the challenges ahead.
Lisa Askey spoke briefly about next years Chandler City Council elections, David Richardson announced he had filed to run for AZ House in LD12 for 2026 and TARs (Teenage Republicans) spoke to honor Charlie Kirk and report on their progress in establishing TPUSA chapters in local high schools.
David Richardson for AZ House - LD12
[audio mp3="https://ld12gop.org/wp-content/uploads/David_Richardson11_11_25.mp3"][/audio]
Great words from Tyler Bowyer about the work TPUSA is doing in our area and how we can help as PC's.
The meeting closed with the We the People updates and the 50/50 Raffle.
Verano Neighborhood Watch on 18 Oct a success thanks to John McTighe
John McTighe did a great job on Verano Neighborhood Watch Night on 18 October 2025. The turn out was about 50 neighbors, Chandler Police brought their K-9 dogs and the city provided pizza. School board candidate Kurt Rohrs got several signatures and was able to meet with neighbors. Of course our table was filled up with SRP, CUSD Bond, Proposition 409 and voter registration forms. Thanks to Reed Brown, he did a great job manning the table.
This was a great way to get to know neighbors and make connections. Greg Dutton, LD12 Chair, thinks this a great format for neighborhood get-togethers, especially for recruiting PC's and help for the 2026 election.
Article submitted by Chandler Area Director - Cindy Barnes
Chandler Police Department and their K9 Unit
John McTighe and neighbor .........Verano Neighbors
LD 12 Meeting – 9 Sept 2025
We had a great Legislative District meeting chaired by Greg Dutton, LD12 chairs, and our SUPER PC'S. We had a short presentation to remember 9-11 as well as see how America has honored each of those who passed on that day with memorials at Shanksville, the Pentagon, and Twin Towers. Joe DiFiore sang a moving National Anthem after the 9-11 presentation.
Carole Wilson and her crew of volunteers made extra fund raising efforts before the meeting with buttons and Fall baskets for sale.
Board members presented their reports.
First Vice Chair Patty Porter had Chevy Frantz and Kim Duncan explain projects and events for the upcoming election year - 2026.
Carole Wilson, 3rd Vice Chair, displayed additional Fall baskets and button fund raisers with a reminder that they are posted on the website Shop section.
Fundraising Links -
Our program included guest speakers Tom Horne, AZ Superintendent of Education who is running for re-election, and Kelly Cooper who is running for the SRP Board.
The meeting closed with the We the People updates and the 50/50 Raffle.
LD 12 Meeting – 12 Aug 2025
We had a great Legislative District meeting chaired by Greg Dutton, LD12 chairs, and our SUPER PC'S.
Our credentialing team was awesome!
Extra fund raising efforts were made before the meeting.
Our LD Secretary and Treasurer presented their reports.
Chair Greg Dutton discussed some initial strategy for the upcoming Mid-term elections. He also asked for a moment of silence to honor PC Karl Witbeck who recently passed.
First Vice Chair Patty Porter presented several programs to help with the upcoming Mid-term elections.
Carole Wilson, 3rd Vice Chair, discussed her Fund Raisers with a reminder that they are posted on the website Shop section.
Fundraising Links -
Our program included guest speakers Gina Swoboda from AZ GOP and Shelby Busch and Chris Handsel from MCRC.
SE Valley Teenage Republican Myles Liimatta gave a great speech and he showed us a slide show highlighting the TARS trip to Washington DC.
Myles Liimatta Thanks the LD12 PCs
The meeting closed with the We the People updates and the 50/50 Raffle.
