[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 191 (Thursday, December 8, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING DR. KELLI WARD, CHAIRWOMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF ARIZONA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PAUL A. GOSAR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2022

  Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a fellow doctor and 
the great chairwoman of the Republican Party of Arizona, Dr. Kelli 
Ward.
  Kelli and I share a similar story. We got into medicine in order to 
help others lead healthier lives. The last thing on our minds was 
serving in politics. Around the same time--after seeing the disastrous 
fall into socialism after President Obama's first election, we both 
felt the call to defend and serve the people of the greatest country on 
Earth.
  After a successful stint in the Arizona Senate and a near historic 
upset of Senator John McCain in the 2016 Republican Senate primary, 
Kelli set her sights on the chairmanship of the Arizona Republican 
party, winning in 2019 and earning reelection in 2021.
  Kelli's tenure as chairwoman has been nothing short of spectacular. 
She led the charge in defiance of unconstitutional and abusive COVID-19 
lockdowns and vaccine mandates. She was also one of the few activists 
willing to highlight and condemn the many instances of clear and 
significant voter fraud perpetrated in the 2020 elections. She even 
wrote a bestselling book about it. She also played an instrumental role 
in ensuring a successful audit of Maricopa County's disastrous election 
management.
  Kelli created enthusiasm with our grass roots. She was relentless in 
her efforts to grow the party and register voters. She kept her 
politics conservative, but she gave her time liberally. She attended 
meetings across the state and kept a schedule few could match. She was 
tireless in her focus and getting the job done. Without her, many 
elections would have been lost and through her efforts she was able to 
stem otherwise insurmountable odds against candidates. In short, 
against difficult circumstances, she never gave up and helped many 
successful candidates.
  Her work was noticed from the local chapters up to the White House. 
President Trump has Kelli on speed dial and seeks her counsel 
regularly.
  I consider Kelli, and her husband Mike, friends. I hired their 
daughter Katie to work in my office. Like her parents, she was a joy to 
have. Lake Havasu and Arizona are blessed to have the talent and 
dedication of Kelli and Mike.
  Like so many Americans--whether they be Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn, 
Mike Lindell, Mark Meadows, peaceful pro-life and election protestors, 
parents disgusted by sexual indoctrination, or even the former 
President, Kelli is facing persecution for her political beliefs 
through a Soviet-style weaponization of the federal justice system. It 
is wrong. It must end. But it will not tarnish the stellar reputation 
and career of Kelli Ward. My message is one that is unnecessary for a 
warrior like Kelli but I will say it anyway. Keep fighting. Her country 
needs her.
  And thank you for all your work and sacrifice.

                          ____________________