Trump, Pence campaign for rival GOP Arizona governor candidates

Former President Donald Trump and ex-Vice President Mike Pence headed to Arizona on Friday to speak at dueling rallies on behalf of rival Republican candidates, turning the governor’s race into a broader referendum on the Republican Party’s future.

Pence talked up the successes of what he called the Trump-Pence administration but did not directly address his growing feud with the former president as he urged voters to support Karrin Taylor Robson for governor.

If you elect Robson, Pence said, “you can hear a deafening message heard all across America that the Republican Party is the party of the future.”

Then-Vice President Mike Pence (left) and then-President Donald Trump (right) (Michael Conroy and David Zalubow / AP/)

Trump was scheduled to hold an evening rally in Prescott Valley on behalf of Lake and other candidates he has endorsed in Arizona’s Aug. 2 primary.

Kari Lake, a prominent backer of false claims the 2020 election was stolen, while his onetime White House lieutenant was getting behind establishment favorite Karrin Taylor Robson.

“Arizona finally has a chance to have a GREAT Governor,” Trump told his social media followers.

The MAGA rally was rescheduled from last Friday due to the sudden death of Trump’s first wife, Ivana.

Robson is a lawyer and housing developer who is locking up support from mainstream GOP figures growing increasingly comfortable with breaking from Trump. Her supporters also include former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and term-limited Gov. Doug Ducey, who famously silenced a call from Trump while certifying Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory in Arizona.

The split-screen moment marks a more confrontational phase in their relationship as they both consider running for president in 2024.

The winner of the Aug. 2 primary will likely face Democratic secretary of state, Katie Hobbs in a key battleground state fight.

House Jan. 6 probe turns focus to Trump’s 187 minutes of inaction: ‘He chose not to act’

It also comes just a day after the House Jan. 6 committee revealed new details about the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that fractured the relationship between the two men. The committee recounted how Trump refused to call off the mob attacking the Capitol as Pence, just feet away from rioters, was whisked to safety.

With News Wire Services