SCC Shakeup?
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Conservatives gained seats on the State Central Committee at the 2nd, 8th, 10th & 11th Republican Congressional District Conventions. Delegates who felt that their hard work had been being taken for granted and their views on the issues ignored by Richmond electeds and party insiders on Grace Street indicated that it was time for a “change.”
There was a palpable excitement among the newly elected SCC members and their conservative colleagues. They indicated an interest in preserving the party plan amendments passed nearly four years ago and promoting a greater degree of openness and communication between the party leadership and members of local Republican unit committees.
Could this be an early indicator of results at the Republican state convention in two weeks?
I don’t know about the 2nd, 8th, and 10th, but I think it was pretty much a wash in the 11th. Only one new member was elected, and while I don’t know him, I’m told he is as conservative as the person he replaced.
True for the 11th. But there were less conservative individuals who were running as a slate and did not win.
In the 10th, we had great gains: Kay Gunter was re-elected and JoAnn Chase and Howie Lind are to join her on the SCC.
In the 11th, the SCC members are Patsy Drain and David Ray (re-elected) & Keith Damon joins them.
In the 8th, Vellie Dietrich-Hall, Michael Giere & Mike Kelly were elected.
I think the important difference may be how the individuals feel on the question of conventions v. primaries. Two of the 11th District people — Ray and Drain — clearly favor conventions over primaries. I don’t know Damon’s position, but I suspect — given the votes for the other two — that he holds a similar position. That he was endorsed by Rick Hendrix (a longtime member) upon his withdrawal is a strong endorsement, as far as I am concerned.
I have no information whatsoever on those elected in other districts.