 |
||||
|
Marcia Barlow: Families
|
NEWS & ANALYSIS Pullen Endorsed for AZ GOP Post by Maricopa County Republican Leaders By Dennis Durband PHOENIX – With Matt Salmon not planning to run for re-election as chairman of the Arizona Republican Party next month, the Executive Guidance Committee of the Maricopa County Republican Committee overwhelmingly voted Tuesday night to endorse the candidacy of Randy Pullen. This sets up another showdown between conservatives and U.S. Senator John McCain, who favors Lisa James for the position. Larry Pickard, chairman of the Maricopa County Republican Committee, said, “Mr. Pullen has been a strong supporter of the Republican Party Grassroots as well as having been a leader on important issues impacting all Arizonans. He has the leadership experience and skills that we need at the Arizona Republican Party.” Pullen currently serves as Arizona’s Republican National Committeeman, serving on the Republican National Committee. The Executive Guidance Committee consists of the officers of the Maricopa County Republican Committee and the chairman of each Legislative District Republican Committee. Advocates of the McCain-backed James, were caught flat-footed and blind-sided by the county’s support of Pullen. District 19 GOP Chair Pat Oldroyd introduced the resolution, which was seconded by McCain nemesis Rob Haney, the District 11 chairman. Last month, Haney won re-election to his post despite a strong effort by McCain to unseat him and the conservatives in power. McCain recruited former Gov. Fife Symington to oppose Haney, who won 215-166. No opposition discussion emerged Tuesday night, though the chairs from GOP Districts 7, 8, and 18, as well as the committee’s second vice chair voted nay. An election among state GOP delegates to the annual AZ GOP convention in January will vote on Pullen and James to determine who serves a two-year term as the party’s top officer. James may face a challenge just getting qualified for the ballot. She did not win a recent election for state committeemen in her home District 8 (Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Rio Verde). Another district then voted her a PC even though she does not live in that district. Several bylaw changes were approved for presentation at the annual Maricopa County Republican Committee meeting to be held January 13, 2007, at Sunnyslope High School in North Phoenix. Two of these recommended changes arose from the efforts of McCain supporters to get James nominated for a state committeeman position, which is required in order to qualify for a run at the state chairman position. She finished 82nd in District 8, 10 spots away from election. Another recommended change targets McCain staffers and supporters who were elected as Republican precinct committeemen while publicly supporting the candidacy of liberal Democrat Janet Napolitano for governor. Wes Gullett is one of these PCs and is currently co-director of McCain's presidential exploratory committee for Arizona. RESOLUTION ENDORSING RANDY PULLEN FOR CHAIRMAN OF THE ARIZONA REPUBLICAN PARTY WHEREAS, Randy Pullen has represented and worked hard on behalf of the Grassroots of the Arizona Republican Party, the Maricopa County Republican Committee and Arizona Republicans across the state; thereby earning their trust and respect, and WHEREAS, he has provided leadership at all levels of the Republican Party, as well as on issues impacting all Americans, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Executive Guidance Committee of the Maricopa County Republican Committee officially endorses the candidacy of Randy Pullen for Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party. Home |News |State Briefs |Editorials|Letters |Key Legislation |Contact Us |
|||