SE Valley Times

A legislative district meeting of about 100 citizens at Redeemer Bible Church, where Rep. Laurin Hendrix (R-14) was making an address, devolved into “a verbal altercation and fight” – between another Republican official and the husband of a political candidate currently running for the seat representing District 14 in the Arizona House of Representatives.

According to Andrew Adams, Legislative District 14’s Republican Chairman, when Hendrix was in the middle of his remarks, Nate and Lalani Hunsaker began yelling at Hendrix and appeared to be approaching the stage.

Nate Hunsaker is the husband of Lalani Hunsaker, who is now running for the Arizona House of Representatives to represent District 14 as a Republican, to occupy the seat which will be vacated by Rep. Travis Grantham.

Adams said when he asked Nate Hunsaker to leave the meeting in question, an altercation ensued and Mr. Hunsaker swore at and head-butted him.

“They seemed to be approaching the stage, so I immediately got up and I told them that they needed to sit down and they needed to stop yelling – that we needed decorum in the meeting, or that they were going to be asked to leave. They wouldn’t stop, and so I had to tell them that they were now trespassing and I had to ask them to leave. I escorted them out, basically to the courtyard area right outside of the building,” Adams told the SE Valley Times. 

“They were resistant to leaving. I had asked them multiple times to leave and informed them that they’re trespassing, that the police had been called. Lalani Hunsaker’s husband Nathan Hunsaker, at one point kind of stands on his tiptoes – he says, ‘F— you’ to me and he head-butts me.”

Lalani Hunsaker saw it differently. Per her statement, “Andrew Adams did forcefully remove my husband and a number of our supporters from the LD-14 meeting last night. However, under no circumstance did anyone physically attack him in any way.”

The Gilbert Police Department provided the following statement: “On July 15, 2024, at approximately 8:53 p.m., Gilbert PD responded to 950 North Greenfield Road in reference to a verbal altercation and fight. Patrol officers completed an initial investigation, and the case has been forwarded to detectives for further follow-up.”

Adams dubbed the altercation as “a major anomaly” and said that legislative meetings in his district are usually “a very safe, welcoming place.”

Adams remarked that had the Hunsakers waited for Hendrix to finish his speech, they could have asked the representative questions and had the opportunity to rebuke anything he had said.

Instead, the resulting fracas led to the meeting, which took place in a church, being disrupted. Adams said that such an event led to an “embarrassing” result.

“I can’t think of a worse outcome for all of us, it’s just embarrassing. We’re at a church. We’re guests at a church. Do you know how seriously I take it that a sanctuary was desecrated like that? I’m sick to my stomach over something like that. That has no place in our meetings, and I don’t think you’ll see it again,” Adams stated.

Adams said he is proud of Legislative District 14 and its inclusivity, resulting from dialogue with “people of all backgrounds of political belief.”

“We’re very serious about getting work done for people, instead of just playing games all the time. I think everyone’s had enough of it. I know I have,” Adams said.

Hendrix also provided a statement to the SE Valley Times. 

“The recent tragedy involving President Trump and the victims shows that violence has no place in political events of any kind. I feel for those in attendance who felt they were in danger, particularly elderly attendees. Civilized debate is the foundation of America’s political process. We will not always agree with each other, but when we are shown different perspectives, we become more informed. We are all human and have strong emotions, but debate must not evolve into violence,” Hendrix said.

“I hope that attendees at local political meetings remain active in their precincts and continue to provide input. They must be able to do this, knowing they are physically safe. I am calling on the judicial authorities to make it clear that violence will not be accepted or overlooked in Arizona. I trust that they will do what is right within the bounds of law. I hope the people of Arizona’s legislative districts send a clear message that they do not approve of violent or intimidating behavior at the ballot box July 30.”