In a tweet on Saturday night, the Arizona Republican Party admitted that it made a mistake in claiming that the Maricopa County Republican Party censored Cindy McCain.
In its post, the party said: “After further analysis, it appears that the Maricopa GOP did not formally censor Cindy McCain. There was a call, a second and almost unanimous applause / approval – but the resolutions cannot be changed from the floor. “The party has said it will vote on a” censor McCain “resolution on January 23.
After further analysis, it appears that the @MaricopaGOP did not formally censor Cindy McCain. There was a call, a second and almost unanimous applause / approval – but the resolutions cannot be amended from the floor. O @AZGOP will vote on a “Censure McCain” resolution on January 23. Thanks!
– Republican Party of Arizona (@AZGOP) January 10, 2021
Earlier in the day, AZGOP reported that the Republican Maricopa Party had voted and passed a resolution to censor McCain.
O @MaricopaGOP voted and passed a resolution to censor Cindy McCain. The Republican Party of Arizona did not comment on the county resolution. The state party will vote on a similar resolution at our annual meeting on January 23, 2021.
– Republican Party of Arizona (@AZGOP) January 9, 2021
McCain was criticized by the party after publicly endorsing President-elect Joe Biden.
McCain responded on Twitter on Saturday, saying in part that she is “a proud Republican and will continue to support candidates who put the country above the party and defend the rule of law”.
The couple’s daughter, Meghan, also weighed in on Twitter, saying, “Oh, how will she survive such a thing?!? And this is THE REAL problem facing the Arizona GOP, my mom! A few days after a terrorist attack domestic led by manic supporters of Trump. “
Arizona senator Mark Kelly called the move “embarrassing and shameful”.
Embarrassing and shameful. @CindyMcCain always did what he thought was right for Arizona and our country. This is something we should all admire, no matter which party we belong to. https://t.co/FApuMRfM5v
– Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) January 10, 2021
McCain’s husband, the late Senator John McCain, was censored in 2014 by the party for what he considered an insufficiently conservative voting record.