Mounting evidence exposes questionable past and ties as well as the motives of Merissa Hamilton aka Merissa Mastropier, aka Marissa Brown from EZAZ.org. Chief among these are former ties to FreedomWorks, who according to an article in Breitbart News has questionable ties to groups like George Soros and the Koch Brothers. Merrissa’s linkedin page lists her previously as a “Full Time National Grassroots Director” for FreedomWorks for over 1 year and 3 months. It appears that Merissa was recently laid off from the organization (May 2023) along with 40% staff layoffs: “FreedomWorks recently laid off 40 percent of its staff and Brandon himself says it would have been more lucrative to simply stay the course. “The easiest thing for us to do is just to be knee-jerk conservative … If you do that, there’s a lot more money there,” he said.” An article in the Arizona Daily Independent cites Freedomworks partnering with EZAZ.org in their new headquarters building and efforts. Saying:
“With the opening of this new FreedomWorks office, Arizona will become a flagship state for grassroots organizing,” said Merissa Hamilton. “This facility will be the central hub for GOTV efforts, voter education, activist training, and special events during election and legislative cycles. As the premier grassroots organization in the country, FreedomWorks is committed to mobilizing, educating, and training the largest network of effective grassroots activists advocating for the principles of smaller government, lower taxes, free markets, personal liberty, and the rule of law. This new flagship office further demonstrates our commitment as a service center organization to the more than 46,000 passionate FreedomWorks activists here in the Grand Canyon State.”
A Politico Article quotes FreedomWorks as rebranding saying “One of the most renowned political groups to have branched off from the Koch Brothers’ network has decided to transform itself into a more moderate group, one sounding traditionally libertarian notes while pursuing the types of ideological compromise it used to eschew. In a presentation intended for donors, lawmakers and others obtained by POLITICO, the group called for a “New FreedomWorks for a New World.” The presentation outlined the beliefs of independent voters who embrace such concepts as “climate realism” and “abortion options.””
In a letter to donors and staff, the FreedomWorks group’s president Adam Brandon said:
“…conservatives no longer showed commitment to the philosophy of limited government and appealed for modesty on social policy. At the heart of the attempted transformation is research conducted by FreedomWorks that shows suburban independent voters support “tolerance and choice,” Brandon wrote. He stressed that for the group to be successful, it must embrace those values and “become a beacon of sanity in turbulent times.” “For this group of independents, gay marriage is a settled issue,” Brandon told donors and staff. “Concerning abortion, they believe the old adage that the issue should be safe, legal, and rare. What appeals to the partisan base does not appeal to this demographic. This demographic is rejecting the Democratic message, but they aren’t taking to the Republican message.” The shift represents a step back from the MAGA-policy wars the group tried to fight during the Trump years. But it has also drawn skepticism from some former FreedomWorks staff who believe Brandon’s motivation stems from trying to keep the group afloat financially and not from any larger ideological conviction. One skeptic noted that FreedomWorks recently engaged in the same hot-button culture issues that Brandon now calls political toxins.”
Likewise, the libertarian FreedomWorks organization is applying for a small business loan despite their billionaire backing by the Koch brothers. The Times reported:
“The Congressional Progressive Caucus Center’s application for a $160,000 loan is awaiting resolution, as is FreedomWorks Foundation’s request for $300,000, according to officials at the groups. [Emphasis added]The American Civil Liberties Union’s national office has not applied but 14 of its state affiliates have, and at least one received a loan — of $154,000 — so far, said Anthony D. Romero, the executive director of the A.C.L.U. [Emphasis added]A “small” loan request by Liberty Counsel, a conservative legal group supporting Mr. Trump’s plan to reopen the country, is still pending, said the organization’s chairman. An application from Media Matters has been hampered by a technical problem, said a person familiar with the process, who was not aware if the group had reapplied.”
O. Perkel had this to say “She, is not registered as a lobbyist, no Ecorp. filed for “EZAZ.” (grassroots) If your goal is 501 (c) 3 you need 2 start with; IRS application and Ecorp. Filed with state. EZAZ is under the larger umbrella ☂️ 501 (c) 4 FreedomWorks. #grift”. An anonymous reader pointed out that “Merissa is president and controlling officer of 501c(3) Strong Communities Action, yet the group has missed three consecutive periods of not filing which should void the 501 Status.”
Merissa Hamilton, who was a failed candidate for both Mayor/Governor in 2020 and Senate in 2015 in Arizona as a Libertarian candidate, was also previously registered as Libertarian and Independent before switching to Republican. Marissa held a fund raiser at the house of Dr. Ronald Yunis in Phoenix. The obstetrician, gynecologist, and abortion doctor faced criminal charges for allegedly pointing a handgun at pro-life protesters outside the abortion clinic where he works. A liberal deep dive dive into Merissa’s past reviewed multiple divorces, bankruptcy’s, home equity loans, and PPP loans. Merissa was asked to step down as the Maricopa Libertarian Party Vice Chair over allegedly false accusations of child molestation with no physical evidence.
Nearly every EZAZ event or form asks for large amounts of data which has a tremendous financial value, or they charge for events. Even a “pie club” has an online option for $5 where I guess you can eat virtual pie? A Kenny Jacobs had this to say: “It looks like Merissa Hamilton is running a scam to collect email addresses and phone numbers. She will sell your data to campaigns to make money. Don’t fall for Merissa’s games, she’s never going to allow you to be in the room where it happens”. Kenny also pointed out “Campaign finance violations concerning “Save Arizona Fund, inc.” where Merissa is allegedly Executive Director.“.
Merissa compliments “my favorite grassroots leader realDanFarley” see the truth about violent, racist, Narcissistic, Dan Farley who cancelled 5 months of Legislative District meetings here: realdanfarley.com
Susanna Davis had this to say: “It’s a sad day when Kari Lake hires Marissa Hamilton to be on her team Marissa H has done nothing to help fight Az Leg in fixing elections infact in our LD2 where she lives she has spoke out against censures numerous times. BAD DECISION KARI LAKE“.
A review of the finances for Merissa’s 90 day mayoral campaign, reveals $99,633.62 in payments to “Forged Communications” tied to Arizona Senator Jake Hoffman. Senator Jake Hoffman’s linkedin page indicates he is presently the President and CEO of “Rally Forge”. A Secretary of State search shows “FORGED COMMUNICATIONS LLC” registered to Jake Hoffman at the same address. A 2020 Arizona Republic article quoted “Hoffman has said he is the president of and CEO of Rally Forge, the firm that was banned, which he called “one of the nation’s top conservative digital and communications agencies“. An anonymous source had this to say about the Merissa/Hoffman connection: “Two thirds of her money went to Hoffman, and then she miraculously becomes part of their larger network steering other groups under a singular message that coincides with Turning Point and “Freedom Caucus” narratives.”
Requests for comment sent to Ms. Hamilton by multiple channels were not immediately returned.
See the below screenshots:
Brian Ference is an Independent Journalist and Citizen Reporter covering Politics in Arizona.
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