Guest speaker Alexander Kolodin, Arizona LD 3 representative, administered the oath of office for the 2026 QCRC board.
Deedee Clary-Stephens and Steve Sanford
The Quail Creek Republican Club (QCRC) convened in the Ocotillo Room on Jan. 16. President Steve Sanford welcomed attendees and acknowledged new members to the QCRC.
Following the introduction, invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance, Steve Sanford delivered opening remarks, which emphasized the need for volunteers and the need to turn out the vote in the 2026 midterm elections. Steve challenged all members to bring in at least one new member to the QCRC.
Steve Sanford introduced the first guest speaker, Alexander Kolodin, candidate for Arizona Secretary of State. Alex has been an election attorney for 10 years, with a mission to bring Election Integrity and Election Reform to Arizona, and he is a House Freedom Caucus member. He emphasized the need for validating all voter signatures and giving poll watchers access to ballots for verification that every ballot is a valid and proper one. Alex is urging all Conservatives to Get Out the Vote for Republican candidates. The success of the 2026 election is key to having election reform and election integrity in Arizona.
Steve then introduced two incumbents of the Corporation Commission running for re-election in the 2026 race. Kevin Thompson and Nick Myers began eliminating Green New Deal policies, along with the mandates and subsidies, since 2023. They support Trump’s Energy Agenda and saved Arizona ratepayers over $3 billion since 2001. They do not approve of automatic rate hikes and have found a way to spread necessary increases over a period of time. The U.S. average for rate hikes is 6.4%, and Arizona has been able to hold rate increases to 1.7% with the expertise of the current board. Kevin and Nick believe that all new development must pay for itself, with no subsidies from ratepayers. Existing coal power plants can be converted to gas plants and new nuclear plants that can secure cheaper and longer-term energy for Arizonians. Because of their tireless work to reduce Arizona’s regulatory lag, they have significantly improved Arizona’s regulatory ranking, which gives Arizona access to cheaper capital, resulting in savings for ratepayers.
Steve Sanford made closing comments and reviewed the upcoming events for the QCRC.
The Feb. 20 meeting will be at 10 a.m. in the Quail Creek ballroom with the following speakers:
• U.S. Representative Andy Biggs, candidate for Governor
• Town of Sahuarita Vice Mayor Kara Ekbert
• Town of Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy
The Quail Creek Republican Club continues to pursue its goal to be the most educational and fun club at Quail Creek. For more information and for membership forms, visit the website at www.quailcreekrepublicans.com.