In GOP Election Party, Celebration Falls Into Disappointment and Fraud Charges | U.S. News

Arizona Republicans approached election night differently.

At a posh country club on the outskirts of Scottsdale, surrounded by palm trees, with multiple bars, pop music and piles of pizza, local members celebrated ahead of the inevitable red tsunami.

However, the nationwide surge of Republicans never materialized — more of a ripple than a wave.

The “watch night” started with prayers, the crowd swore an oath of alliance with the United States and sang the national anthem.

A bundle of red, white and blue balloons hung from the ceiling with a large net, ready to be dropped in the moment of victory.

The star of the Arizona Republican show is Cary Lake, the Trump-backed candidate for governor who denies the election.

At 10pm, with the results far from clear, she took to the stage to cheer to the cheers of supporters.

Ms Lake was quick to mention “liars and liars”.

“How do you get free and fair elections?”, she said. “You have to fight to get them fair and free.”

Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Cary Lake talks to supporters at GOP Watch party
picture:
Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Cary Lake talks to supporters at GOP Watch party

Kari Lake is a so-called “election denier” who casts doubt on Joe Biden’s 2020 victory.

Voting in the state on Tuesday was marred by technical problems with voting machines and two-hour queues.

During the lull of the evening, activists sat in front of giant screens watching overnight results on the right-wing Fox News network.

GOP candidate supporters cheer on latest poll results in Lake Cary
picture:
GOP candidate supporters cheer on latest poll results in Lake Cary

The people we spoke to were disappointed and frustrated.

A man complains about the threat of Marxism in America.

A retired woman said there was clear evidence of fraud in a recent match. There is no evidence of this.

Others drowned out their grief.

picture:
Watch the party take place at a luxury country club on the outskirts of Scottsdale

When we left the event at 2.30am it was almost empty, hotel staff were cleaning up and the balloon net had not fallen.

Arizona’s Trump-backed slate still has a chance to win, but it will be closer than they hoped.

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