J. Duane Rhodes, chairman of the Graham County Republican Party, recently received his party’s highest award for the state – the Barry M. Goldwater Lifetime Service Award.
Rhodes was presented with the award by outgoing State Chairman Jonathon Lines at the 2019 annual State Chairman’s Award Dinner. This is the second time Rhodes has been accorded this honor; he also received this award in 2009. This is apparently the only time an individual has twice received this honor.
“Duane Rhodes and the entire Graham County Republican Party did an amazing job this cycle, including electing a Republican clerk of the superior court, and helping the AZGOP to win key legislative races in Arizona,” Lines said. “They are the model that the other counties try to follow.”
Graham County as being the only county in the state with a full allotment of precinct committeemen. There are currently 88 Republican precinct committee in Graham County, including representatives of each geographical precinct.
“After receiving this lifetime honor ten years ago, I never imagined that I would be honored this way a second time. This is really a testament to how even somebody from a small community can make a difference. I can’t tell you how proud I am of our county committee,” Rhodes said.
