J.D. Hayworth has claimed tea party support, but major tea party leaders in Arizona say they aren't endorsing anyone. | AP photo composite by POLITICO Tea parties hold out on Hayworth

The leaders of Arizona’s four largest tea parties announced Monday they’re not endorsing in the state’s Senate race, a blow to the movement’s supposed darling, former Republican Rep. J.D. Hayworth.

The joint statement from the Tucson Tea Party, the Greater Phoenix Tea Party, the Flagstaff Tea Party and the Mohave County Tea Party declared that any endorsement would not be “appropriate.”


“We stand for principles and ideas, not for politicians or parties,” said Patrick Beck, organizer of the Mohave County Tea Party. “Our mission is to promote constitutional government and fiscal responsibility and to inform people so that they can make their own decisions.”

“It is not appropriate to make an endorsement in this race at the drop of a hat, as some other groups are doing,” added Kelly Townsend of the Greater Phoenix Tea Party. “The movement must stand for ideas and do everything possible to provide information to people so that they can make the best personal decisions.”

Since announcing his GOP primary campaign against four-term Sen. John McCain, Hayworth has claimed tea party support.

But in their statements Monday, the tea party organizers made clear they don’t identify him as their leader.

“The tea party is a non-partisan, grassroots movement that stands for limited government, free markets and fiscal responsibility. Both McCain and Hayworth’s records during their many years in Washington leave much to be desired on these issues,” said Robert Mayer of the Tucson Tea Party. “It is their job to hold themselves up to these values and fight for our votes.”