About the mcrc member at large candidates!
Joanie colson
Joanie Colson is a Christian Conservative who believes the US Constitution is, and always has been, the bedrock of our Republic and strongly believes the grassroots efforts of Patriots will make our country great again. It has been an honor to serve two terms as a member at large with an amazing Board of Officers and Chairs. Focusing to work to get strong conservative candidates to fill all elected positions, support election integrity efforts and support our PCs in every way possible. As we move forward, improving communication among the MCRC and the LDs is key.
We need to work hard in 2026 to get true Patriots elected into every office from PC to Governor. Our state and our county are at stake. The only way we win is by working together and standing strong. In 1858, President Lincoln quoted the Bible when he said “a house divided cannot stand”. We, in Maricopa County, cannot be divided. We worked together to get President Trump back but it is just as important, if not more, as we go into the 2026 midterms to be united. We need to take Arizona back! All the members of the MCRC are in it to win it and together we will. No tricks, Just Results!
Joanie has been married to Rick for 38 years and they have one son. Both are PCs in LD27 and Rick serves as the LD chaplain. A native of Phoenix, she enjoys time with family, camping, baking, and teaching at Grand Canyon University in the College of Arts and Media as the Theatre Education professor and improv comedy coach.
Mike Franklin
Mike Franklin is a devoted family man, married for 37 years, proud father and stepfather to six children, with a growing legacy of 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Known for his unwavering integrity, fairness, and strong work ethic, he brings these values to every aspect of his life.
With a deep passion for mentorship, Mike was an NRA-certified Smallbore and Air Rifle Coach, guiding young athletes to both National and Junior Olympic success.
A passionate conservative dedicated to community service, Mike serves as a PC and State Committeeman. Serving the MCRC and AZGOP Mike handled credentialing and aggregation at key meetings, setting up and organizing phone banks and curing rooms, and working to clean our voter rolls.
Working to develop the PCs and volunteers in his community, Mike actively brings the tools needed to the local level. PC 101, Voter Spectrum, Hand Count, and Robert’s Rules are just a few of the trainings he has helped lead and bring to his LD and many others. During the 2024 election, he helped develop and train over 150 volunteers in 15 LDs with a personalized texting campaign sending out nearly 1 million messages swaying and encouraging voters on the conservative candidates on our ballots.
In his community and faith life, Mike actively volunteers with church ministries, providing essential home goods to families in need, and participates in Bible study groups emphasizing education, leadership and accountability through faith.
Professionally, Mike holds degrees in Accountancy and Computer Information Systems from Arizona State University. His diverse career highlights his entrepreneurial and leadership skills: managing over 100 real estate development projects, co-founding a coffee import and service company, and serving more than 20 years in the home health arena fulfilling duties of Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Technical Officer.
Don Hiatt
The Member-at-Large role on the MCRC Executive Board involves representing the broader membership, advising on strategy, and bridging district-specific concerns with county-wide goals.
Political Experience and Advocacy
- 2024 Maricopa County Recorder Campaign: Running as a Republican in the July 30, 2024, primary for Maricopa County Recorder, securing approximately 20% of the vote despite limited funding and name recognition. A platform emphasizing "election fraud protection" over mere "integrity," criticizing machine-based voting and advocating for hand-counting of paper ballots.
- Broader Activism: Volunteering in the 2020 election audit efforts pushing for manual ballot counting, aligning with national MAGA priorities.
- Embodies authentic conservatism; appealing to Precinct Committeemen and volunteers wary of establishment influences.
- Election Focus: Don's Recorder bid and ongoing advocacy make him ideal for guiding MCRC's election integrity initiatives, especially as the Party prepares for 2026 cycles.
If you want free & fair elections, we must eliminate “No Excuse Mail-In Ballots” and return to hand counting paper ballots to ensure the ongoing freedom of our elections!
Sarah O'Neill
Sarah comes from a Patriotic Military family where her father, uncles, brothers and son have all served this great nation. As the daughter of a Purple Heart Marine, and the mother of a Purple Heart Armed Forces Specialist, her passion to restore the foundation of our Nation is stronger than ever. A Southern California native who settled in Scottsdale early 2020, soon becoming involved in numerous election integrity projects. Sarah served as part of an Analytics Audit Team that recently participated in an RFP for the Maricopa County "Election Process Review."
Her motto for others is to ACTIVATE! Get involved, get off the sidelines, get educated and help educate others of the true state of our union. Knowledge is power, let's use it wisely!
Background Experience:
- 40 year career in the Finance Profession
- Controller for a Fortune 500 Corp, North America division
- Finance Manager for a $2.5B Food Corp
- Co-owner in a start-up Biotech Company
- B.A. Economics, Chapman University (Notable - John Eastman, J.D. Alum)
- Treasurer for Orange County Republican Women’s Federated Organization
- PC, State Committeeman, Poll Watcher, MCTEC Ballot Curing & Signature Verification Tech
- Signature review team for “We The People”
Appeared on Steve Bannon’s War Room and Real America’s Voice
A Legacy of Service: - Stephen K Bannon's War Room
https://rumble.com/v2h86bu-cowboy-logic-040823-sarah-oneill.html
Other Experience:
- Participates in rallies & legislative hearings on issues of Pro-Life, Border Control & Election Security
- Serves with the Senior & Children’s ministries at Pillar Church, Scottsdale
- HOA Board Committee member
- 30 year USTA Tennis Player; Regional Champion Team
- PGA, LPGA & WM Phoenix Open Volunteer
- Foster Parent for Little Red Dog Rescue
Overall Goals:
- If elected as Member-at-Large for MCRC, I will work with, represent and support the PC’s as well as the Board to help achieve goals set for the coming term.
- I encourage "boots on the ground" participation in the full Political process, and community outreach at every opportunity.
- Help make the voices of THE PEOPLE heard.
We are all Conservative Patriots and are stronger when we come together UNITED for the good of our great nation!
Hans Van Dan Elzen
Hans has been a registered Republican since the age of 18 and actively engaged in Arizona politics since 2021. The concerns of friends, family and community after the 2020 election motivated Hans to get involved and better understand elections and election processes. Hans has a deep love for this country and the wisdom of the US Constitution.
- Senate Appointed Observer at the 2021 Maricopa County Election Audit
- Testified numerous times at the AZ Capitol on election integrity issues
- 2021 LD14 PC
- 2022 LD14 Trilogy Precinct Captain
- Current State Committeeman
- Board of Directors United Patriots
Most recently Hans participated as a guest at the 2025 Atlanta RNC Summer Meeting.
Restore Confidence! Vote for COLSON, FRANKLIN, HIATT, O'NEILL and HANS - your winning MCRC slate!
