TL/DR –
Former President Donald Trump’s campaign presence in Arizona is significantly smaller compared to 2020, with only six people on the state’s GOP payroll as of February 2024. The national GOP’s finances are also down, with the Republican National Committee entering 2024 with only a tenth of the inflation-adjusted dollars it had four years prior. Trump’s campaign has been facing financial difficulties due to legal bills, leading to cost-cutting measures and a focus on volunteer-fueled operations.
Former President Trump’s Arizona Campaign Presence Diminished Compared to 2020
The Arizona Republican Party’s workforce, which played a crucial role in the 2020 presidential campaign, has significantly dwindled compared to the same period in 2020. Current federal campaign finance records show that the party had over 60 people on its payroll in February 2020, but this year, the figure has dropped to single digits.
The Trump campaign has hired a state director, Pat Aquilina, who is paid directly through the campaign. Yet, there have been no announcements of other campaign hires in the state. Meanwhile, the Arizona Democrats plan to open eight field offices by the end of March and have already hired 19 full-time staff members for their coordinated campaign.
Arizona, viewed as a competitive state, could potentially decide the next president. In the 2020 election, President Joe Biden won Arizona by approximately 10,000 votes, a figure lower than the average audience at a Major League Baseball game.
The Trump campaign and the GOP are reportedly facing financial difficulties. Legal bills from Trump’s court challenges and verdicts against him have cost millions, paid mainly using campaign funds. The Republican National Committee’s finances are also down compared to the last election cycle.
RNC and Trump Campaign Financial Difficulties
Trump’s campaign advisers have publicly stated that steps are being taken to cut unnecessary costs. In the 2020 election cycle, the campaign spent millions of dollars early in the year, only to tighten their belts closer to the election.
These financial issues have reportedly also affected Trump’s travel plans. He considered visiting Arizona in March but decided against it to save money. In January, he called off a rally amid a controversy involving Senate candidate Kari Lake.
Trump has frequently visited Arizona in the past, making seven trips during his 2016 and 2020 campaigns and several times after leaving office in early 2021, according to the Arizona Republic.
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