When the City of Maricopa Republican Club started hosting political meet-and-greets nearly two decades ago, its goal was simple: make sure locals in the small but growing city had a chance to rub elbows with their elected officials.
“I think it’s important because constituents want to know what’s going on and to see the leaders in person, talk about what they’re doing and bring some questions to them,” President Marty Hermanson told InMaricopa.
The club began as a small group in 2006, hosting events at The Villages at Rancho El Dorado clubhouse. Attendance slowly grew over the years as organizers brought in local elected officials and candidates, as well as big names in Arizona politics like John McCain, Jon Kyl, Tom Horne and Kari Lake.
“Their room held a capacity of about 48 people,” Hermanson said, “and when you have people standing in foyer and trying to listen in, this opportunity came up to move.”
These days, seats at Calvary Church inside Stagestop Marketplace on Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway are often filled on the last Saturday of the month, when the club hosts politicians and candidates from local and statewide races.
Their most recent event featured U.S. Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ-02). With a district the size of West Virginia, Crane doesn’t make it to Maricopa terribly often, but when he does, he tends to draw a crowd.
“Pretty much all the seats were filled … There were probably between 80 and 90 people,” Hermanson said.
Crane spoke mostly about national and international developments, most notably the recent warfare with Iran.
“Being he was a Navy SEAL, that hit close to home for him with what’s going on with the attack on Iran,” Hermanson said.
Some of the topics included a brief overview of congressional hearings, ever-looming government shutdowns, national security issues and the federal budget.
“There’s so much stuff that is happening right now that he wants to kind of let everybody know what’s going on, what he’s trying to do and what his colleagues are trying to get taken care of,” Hermanson said.
Crane is currently running for reelection against Flagstaff Democrat Jonathan Nez, the former Navajo Nation president, who visited Maricopa in December.
![Western Pinal Justice of the Peace Patricia Glover speaks during a City of Maricopa Republican Club on May 23, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260529-spencer-teeple-republican-club-1-4-300x200.jpg)
8 Responses
I do wonder what Crane thinks of Pam Bondi after that House hearing. Also for what he thinks about the Iran situation. It’s mentioned, but whether he supports it or not isn’t specified.
Yesterday I watched the attendant at Fry’s change the gas price sign, jacking it up $.20 per gallon as a result of the cost per barrel spiking due to Israel conning our president into attacking Iran for them.
I shed a single patriotic tear, got out of my car, saluted and yelled “America First!”
Then I sang “God Bless America” and thanked God we have a MAGA president who made a clear campaign promise not to drag us into another foreign war!
Then I denied the whole thing happened.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the first ever example of a right wing liberal. Please send your thoughts and prayers, and credit card details to Israel.
Does this guy still not live in the district he serves? The 2nd district is the most unrealistic representation of a district. It was carved out to allow for Population Equity, but let’s be real, the problems we need representation for differ far and wide between Maricopa and places like Holbrook, Peach Springs, Bylas and Peridot.
That’s correct, he lives in Oro Valley (CD 6). Two of his opponents live in Flagstaff (CD2).
Says Monica D Spencer who comes from where?
Who is an Arizona native and a member of the Navajo Nation, thank you.
Annnnnnnnd that’s how you dunk on a moron. Take notes, kids…