Kelli Ward, chairwoman for the Arizona Republican Party, encouraged people protesting stay-at-home orders to wear masks and scrubs to make the media think they are healthcare workers.
“Planning protest to #ReOpenAmerica? EVERYONE wear scrubs & masks – the media doesn’t care if you are really in healthcare or not – it’s the ‘message’ that matters!’” Ward said in a Friday tweet. She included the hashtags #ProblemSolved, #WeAreAllHeroic, #1A, and #JustWearScrubs.
#ProblemSolved #WeAreAllHeroic #1A #JustWearScrubs ? pic.twitter.com/fqFDvqs3nT
— Dr. Kelli Ward ?? (@kelliwardaz) April 25, 2020
Ward previously accused counterprotesters of not being genuine. She included a photo of a medical worker who was reportedly demonstrating against the stay-at-home protesters.
“EVEN IF these ‘spontaneously’ appearing ppl at protests against govt overreach (sporting the same outfits, postures, & facial expressions) ARE involved in healthcare – when they appeared at rallies, they were actors playing parts. #Propaganda #FakeOutrage,” she tweeted last week.
EVEN IF these “spontaneously” appearing ppl at protests against govt overreach (sporting the same outfits, postures, & facial expressions) ARE involved in healthcare – when they appeared at rallies, they were actors playing parts. #Propaganda #FakeOutrage https://t.co/PRh2FGjW2Y pic.twitter.com/7XwggmHM4s
— Dr. Kelli Ward ?? (@kelliwardaz) April 21, 2020
Matt Grodsky, director of communications for the Arizona Democratic Party, responded.
“If anyone’s status as a healthcare professional should be questioned, it’s Dr. Kelli Ward’s, considering her unwillingness to promote the advice of health experts,” Grodsky said. “Irresponsible, shameful tweets like this do nothing to help people afflicted with the virus or the healthcare heroes who are working to save lives.”
“Across Arizona, healthcare workers have been working tirelessly to take care of our most vulnerable and individuals afflicted with COVID-19,” he said in a second statement. “These heroes deserve our total and complete gratitude.”
Ward ran against Sen. John McCain and lost in the primary. She also later lost a second Senate bid to Republican Sen. Martha McSally.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Arizona Republican Party for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
