He’s OUT – GOP Kicked Him To The CURB!

At a Glance

Opponents of Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams voted to remove him as the party’s leader.
The vote to remove Williams was 161.66-12 among members of the Colorado GOP central committee.
The meeting also resulted in the removal of Vice Chairwoman Hope Scheppelman and Secretary Anna Ferguson.
Eli Bremer was elected to serve out Williams’ term as chairman.

The Vote for Removal

On August 24th, opponents of Dave Williams within the Colorado GOP cast their votes, leading to his removal as Chairman. With a decisive vote count of 161.66-12, members of the Colorado GOP central committee made their dissatisfaction clear. The meeting held at Brighton was not limited to Williams’ removal; it also saw Vice Chairwoman Hope Scheppelman and Secretary Anna Ferguson ousted from their positions.

New Leadership Takes Charge

Following the removals, Eli Bremer was elected to serve out the remainder of Williams’ term as Colorado GOP chairman. In addition, Brita Horn was chosen as the new vice chair, and Kevin McCarney was named secretary. These leadership changes are seen as a potential fresh start for the party as it prepares for the upcoming election season.

However, this change has not been without controversy. Williams and his allies have refused to recognize the legitimacy of the meeting, dismissing it as a fraudulent “sham.” An Arapahoe County judge ruled he didn’t have jurisdiction over the meeting’s validity, indicating potential legal battles ahead.

Implications for Party Unity and Strategy

Williams’ removal signifies more than a mere leadership change and highlights internal conflicts within the Colorado GOP. Critics of Williams have pointed to his poor fundraising efforts and controversial use of party resources for his congressional campaign. The party raised just $12,897.89 last month, while spending nearly $110,000. Comparatively, the Colorado Democratic Party raised $125,000 in July.

“The chairman has taken extensive, unprecedented action to attack Republican candidates and fellow Republicans,” said El Paso County District Attorney Michael Allen in making the motion to remove Williams.

Republican opponents of Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams vote to remove him, setting up showdown

What’s Next for the Colorado GOP?

With Eli Bremer at the helm, the Colorado GOP plans to hire an executive director and open an interim party headquarters. However, the ongoing dispute over the meeting’s legitimacy could drag on for months, potentially involving the Republican National Committee. Observers will be keen to see how these leadership changes and internal conflicts will affect the party’s strategy and cohesion as it navigates future political challenges.

The power struggle within the Colorado GOP may set a precedent for how the national party addresses internal disagreements and leadership disputes. The outcome will likely impact not only state politics but also contribute to broader national conversations within the Republican Party.

Attendees at two separate GOP meetings in Colorado on Saturday voted to remove several state party officers, including GOP Chair Dave Williams, who denounced the meeting as “fraudulent" https://t.co/NCrDnkykL4

— Denver7 News (@DenverChannel) August 25, 2024