In the end, the applause after the candidates' speeches was an accurate barometer of how the election would go, and Randy Pullen was re-elected chairman of the Arizona Republican Party.

Pullen, who will serve his second two-year term as the head of the party, defeated Lisa James by 521-474 votes. Two years ago, Pullen edged James by only four votes.

In his speech before the voting at the party's statutory meeting Jan. 24, Pullen touted the legislative victories in November's elections and the recruitment of more than 300 new precinct committeemen.

"More importantly, I stood by my Republican principles…and not depending on the government to always come to your rescue," he said.

He also defended his public opposition to an illegal immigration bill supported by many members of the state's congressional delegation in 2007.

"It is easier to talk the talk than walk the walk… I said, ‘No.' I stood up and was counted, leading a grassroots revolt that went all the way to Washington," Pullen said.

The past two years under Pullen's leadership have been fractious for Arizona Republicans. Many of the party's wealthy donors refused to contribute to a Republican Party with Pullen at the helm, and his critics have accused him of dividing the party.

But Rep. Rick Murphy, a Glendale Republican who supported Pullen, said he expects some of the acrimony within the party to subside.

"I'm glad it wasn't a super-close vote. I think it'll help to move forward," he said. "Based on last time, it certainly can't hurt."

Others weren't so sure, though. Farrell Quinlan, GOP chairman in LD20 and a critic of Pullen's leadership, said the 2010 elections will present a challenge for Republicans because they will have to defend making possibly large budget cuts in the face of severe state budget problems. It will be Pullen's job, he said, to help Republicans at all levels get elected.

"We're living in an age of hope, I understand," he said.