Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: The Graham County Republican Party held a grand opening for its new temporary headquarters in Safford on Friday with local and state politicians on hand. Holding the ribbon in the front row are, from left, State Sen. David Gowan, Graham County Republican Party Chair Marianne Clonts, State Rep. Gail Griffin, State Rep. Lupe Diaz, Graham County Board of Supervisors Chairman John Howard, Thatcher Vice Mayor Jenny Howard, and Safford City Council Member Arnold Lopez.
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – It was a Grand Old Party on Friday as the Graham County Republicans celebrated the grand opening of their new temporary campaign headquarters in Safford at 816 W. Thatcher Blvd.
Local and state politicians were on hand for the event, including Safford Council Member Arnold Lopez, Thatcher Vice Mayor Jenny Howard and her husband, Graham County Board of Supervisors Chairman John Howard, State Rep. Gail Griffin, State Rep. Lupe Diaz, and State Sen. David Gowan.
“This is a beautiful place – beautiful place to have it,” Gowan said at the ribbon cutting. “We’re going to make sure Trump wins and make sure Kari Lake wins and Juan Ciscomani and then the team.” (consisting of Gowan, Griffin, and Diaz, who are all up for re-election.)
Graham County Republican Party Chair Marianne Clonts hosted the event and led the group with a special Pledge of Allegiance performance piece after an opening prayer by Rep. Diaz.

“Come and visit us at the Republican center,” Diaz said. “You’ll be able to find all kinds of information that you need to make a great decision. Just vote red all the way.”
Clonts said the campaign headquarters will serve those in the community who are concerned about the election and will be open Mondays through Fridays, 1 – 5 p.m. when possible.

Those not yet registered to vote can do so at the campaign headquarters (up to Oct. 5 for the General Election), as well as pick up campaign signs. Clonts said the headquarters will also host various candidates for office who will be available to meet and voice concerns.
“We’re in an election between good and evil,” Clonts said. “It’s not just one candidate or one party over another. I think the values that we have with the Republicans need to – people need to step up and say, ‘This is what I want. I want to take back our country.’ Our country is under siege, basically. I’m just trying to do my part, trying to get people engaged and not have the feeling that their vote doesn’t count. Because if everybody feels that way then we will lose the election.”

The building was donated for the Republican Party’s use by Emily Rhinehardt and Sarah Henderson, according to Clonts. Henderson also owns the adjacent Sarah’s Bullpen bar. It was previously used in 2020 as the Democratic Party’s campaign headquarters that year.
“Stop by and register to vote if you’re not already registered,” Griffin said. “We will win in November.”
