The Arizona Republican Party opened the first ever Republican Party victory office in Nogales and Santa Cruz County on Saturday. Sergio Arellano, state director for the Republican National Committee and chair of Legislative District 2 spearheaded the effort to open up shop on the border in response to the growing demand for change.
Arizona Speaker of the House David Gowan was joined by Nogales Mayor John Doyle, Rep. Chris Ackerly, and AZGOP Chair Robert Graham for the grand opening event Saturday morning. Entrepreneur, Landlord and candidate for Santa Cruz County supervisor in District 1, Mike Melendez, Mucho Martinez, a popular radio show host and candidate for Santa Cruz County supervisor in District 3, and Shelly Kais, a businesswoman and candidate for State senator in Legislative District 2 were also featured.
Representatives from both the Donald Trump and John McCain campaigns were also on hand. The governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey, was also invited but failed to even send a representative in his place.
Southern Arizona, especially the democrat-controlled communities along the border have experienced high unemployment with little chance for opportunity. As a result, Arellano went to work this year securing funds and good will in order to open up what he hopes will be a community center of sorts. Santa Cruz County suffers from almost 14 percent unemployment; with the City of Rio Rico itself suffering from a nearly 30 percent poverty rate.
In February, Santa Cruz County Republican Chair, Zach Taylor, told the Nogales International that it could be nearly impossible for a Republican to win the vote in this area. Arellano believes that it is not impossible at all; he points to the election of Chris Ackerley, a Republican elected in mainly Democratic district, as proof that victory is possible. Republicans just have to be ready, willing, and able to understand the needs and articulate what federal programs like Operation Chokepoint have done to devastate border communities.
“We know the people here have paid dearly due to failed democrat policies. The people out here have been taken for granted by the nearly more than 35 years of one party rule. From Congressman Raul Grijalva’s call for a boycott against his own people, to State Senator Andrea Delassandro’s failure to protect Hispanic families from an out-of-control Department of Child Services, to corrupt County officials, the people of this area have been betrayed. They want jobs, they want opportunities, they share the same family values the Republican Party represents. They are ready for change and we are here to see they get it,” said Arellano.