Nine Unit Chairs Come Out Against Frederick
A letter signed by nine unit chairs was released today calling for new leadership. The letter was signed by the chairs of Virginia Beach, Fairfax County, Chesterfield County, Chesapeake City, Hanover County, Henrico County, Stafford County, Norfolk City and Rockingham County.
A letter from Fairfax chair Anthony Bedell and the one signed by all other units is after the break.
Dear FCRC Member-
After consulting with our elected officials in Fairfax County, and the FCRC Executive Committee, I have decided that it is in the best interest of the Party to sign a letter asking RPV Chairman Jeff Frederick to resign effective immediately.
As a conservative, I come to this decision with mixed emotions. It has been a long and difficult nine months supporting Jeff but it has become clear to most of us that his lack of positive and constructive leadership has caused severe fragmentation in our Party instead of the healing and unity that we all had hoped would be the outcome of his election. If we are to continue to win Republican seats, recruit and train candidates and send forth a positive message to all of our voters, it is imperative that Chairman Frederick resign now for the good of our Party. I have great faith in the ability of our Republican family to move forward, respect each other when we disagree and remain faithful to our core Republican principles.
The letter is attached for your review and I am happy to discuss this privately with any member of FCRC.
Anthony Bedell
Chairman, FCRC
anthonybedell@msn.com
Chairman Jeff Frederick
Republican Party of Virginia
901 East Cary Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219Dear Jeff:
As fellow conservative grassroots Republican leaders, we urge you to resign as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia. After reflecting on recent events, we have concluded that it is time for new leadership of our Party so that we can unify, and win this November.
We have worked tirelessly over the years to build our party, advance conservative ideas, and elect fellow Republicans to local and state office. We have devoted our time, talents and undying commitment to our shared cause. It is with this commitment to our party that we agree with the other grassroots and elected leaders who support a change in leadership.
Sincerely,
Kenny Golden
Chairman, Virginia Beach City GOPAnthony Bedell
Chairman, Fairfax County GOPDon Williams
Chairman, Chesterfield County GOPPete Burkhimer
Chairman, Chesapeake City GOPAngela Kelly-Wiecek
Chairman, Hanover County GOPSheriff Mike Wade
Chairman, Henrico County GOPSusan Stimpson
Chairman, Stafford County GOPPam Brown
Chairman, Norfolk City GOPMike Meredith
Chairman, Rockingham County GOP
Category: Campaigns and Elections
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They all must be RINOs from “the establishment”!
I have a prediction. This won’t sway Lil’ Napoleon one bit.
Not saying I agree or disagree with the decision, but as one who is on the Chesapeake GOP distro list, I know that this was not a decision that was brought before the city committee…only Pete and perhaps the exec committee had anything to do with it.
Probably the same in Norfolk and Virginia Beach..
Finally! Real leadership. It is good to see FCRC get a Chairman who knows how to run elections and win but also how to “call ‘em.” Anthony has made a tough decision (given his past relationship with Jeff) and has stepped out for the good of the Party.
This move also should silence those who think this is a “small band” of “elites” who are angry about what happened in May. Anthony was a supporter of Jeff’s and headed up his Transition Team and was his Budget Chair. He resigned to run as Chairman of FCRC, and now, even he is calling for Jeff to resign.
All I can say is thank you Anthony, and thanks to the other NINE Unit Chairs who took a stand for the betterment of the Party.
Jeff, listen to your Party, and go.
Wait a sec.
Does this mean that every locality that has had a special election this year has now had it’s local chair come out for Frederick’s removal?
Alexandria (Murray – 46th)
Fairfax (Herrity/Cook)
Virginia Beach (Knight – 81st)
Norfolk (Cog)
That certainly can’t be good.
[...] Today’s letter from nine unit chairs stating a change of leadership is needed at RPV coupled with Alexandria’s resolution two weeks ago gives you every unit chair in every locality that has had a special election this year coming out against Jeff Frederick: [...]
Bedell is a fine example of a pragmatic conservative. He has done a great job in Fairfax and would be a great replacement for Frederick.
Frederick is now completely done. There are some ultra conservatives on this list. No way he survives at this point.
And I don’t think anyone can say with a straight face that Anthony Bedell, Mike Wade, Mike Meredith or Susan Stimpson are RINOs. I do not know the other chair’s personally, but those four are solid conservatives from everything I have seen and known. But hey, the liberal elites are all behind this attack on Jeff, right?
I disagree with Larry Sabato’s Hairpiece.
Well, not really. That was just funny to say. To me anyhow.
Obviously, I’ve been sticking up for Jeff Frederick. However, that hairpiece speaks volumes.
I say that it WAS (emphasis on “was”) mostly(not all) RINOs, old guard, and elected officials that can’t believe anyone would dare defy them. The “Top Down” stuff sucks. I hate it.
However, it clearly isn’t that way anymore.
Mytwocents, I think is correct. At this point, I also see no way for Frederick to survive this.
This has been a very long nasty and very public affair. I can understand leaders at some point saying, “I’m not sure this isn’t just a power grab but, enough is enough, Fredrick is too damaged. It would be “easier” for all of us if he just went away.”
If Jeff Frederick is guilty, he should have left long ago. What if he isn’t? If he resigns, it would so look like he is guilty of all the utter CRAP I’ve been reading on here. Some of you say, that doesn’t matter (guilty or not) because in the end, the SCC and prominent RPV leaders want him out. I guess that’s true.
If I were to advise Jeff, you wouldn’t like my advice. I would suggest to him that if the charges are accurate, then he should resign immediately. I would say he should have quietly stepped out long ago and hoped that he wasn’t prosecuted. However, if he’s innocent, I would tell him to go down before the “firing squad”. I would advise him NOT to waiver or step down. Bolling sacrificing himself for McDonnell is one thing. You guys are asking Jeff to virtually admit to something he didn’t do by resigning. That is more sacrifice then frankly you have the right to ask……..if he’s innocent.
It is over. I’m looking forward to that. The day of his firing or resignation, the sooner the better. There is no way to win. When so many conservatives finally sign on, there isn’t an option. You lose. The path you take that loss on is the only thing left to you.
So, Jeff? How do you want to go out?
Britt Howard, your “analyses” are beyond bewilderment.
As George Will would say, “you, sir are a pyromaniac in a field full of straw men”.
You’ve been verbally fellating Frederick–by the paragraph mind you–for how long now? But now that four more people in positions of power (on top of literally how many hundreds of others who knew how bad Jeff was and said so earlier?) meet your ph balance test for who’s really “conservative”, the case is cut-and-dried?!? Just like that?!?
God am I glad you are not my advisor. Much less my lawyer. Hell, I wouldn’t even want you as my dog-walker.
I guess next JF will say the unit chairs are “insiders” and RINOs. The walls are closing in fast. Even if he survives he and RPV will not be a player in this years elections.
What kills me is how this is even news. This letter was presented to unit chairs around the state (there 130 units) and only nine signed.
Jeff has solid grassroots support. I am one of many chairs around the state who is angered by the arrogance of SCC who are trying to usurp not only my vote, but the vote of 1000s of folks at last year’s state convention.
Those who are behind this have one motive in mind–control of the party. It is an election year and they honestly think that an intra-party battle is the way to win the hearts and minds of voters.
It is amazing what people will do.
Too funny. Senate Six sends out a letter. HOD 3 send out a letter. Now nine locals, that happen to be mostly from the same districts, send out a letter.
C’mon you conspiracy freaks, what’s the chances of no one supplying some ‘influence’?
Makes more sense than some stupid special election, doesn’t it?
RPV, what a joke!
RIP
You are out of your mind if you think the chairs of Virginia Beach and Norfolk are RINO$. They are both rock solid right of Rush Repu licans. Jeffs just not doing the job and we need unity to win elections.
You know Anne, quite frankly, I am getting pretty tired of this argument that Jeff has “solid” grassroots support. First off, there are plenty of people in this state who are grassroots who think it is good for him to go. Those are the people who do a lot of work for free for their Party. Secondly, this IS NOT about control. Your conspiracy theories not withstanding, this is about leadership. Please point to ONE thing Jeff Frederick has done since he has been Chairman? One thing?
Furthermore, this is not about usurping your vote! This is about errors being committed and people acting to correct those errors. If a Company’s Stock Holders elect a CEO that turns out to be engaging in unethical behavior, does the Board of Directors have the duty, right and responsibility to fire said CEO? Your State Central is the governing body of the Party. And, may I remind you, while you voted for Jeff, if you attended your District Convention, I assume you did as a Chairman of a Unit, then you voted for your SCC to.
Let me put it another way, you voted for people to represent your interests as the governing body of the Party. Unfortunately, your choice for Chairman has engaged in questionable behavior, and besides showing poor judgement on a variety of issues has been unable to live up to ANY promises he made during the campaign.
Like it or not, in order to be successful, even “grassroots” leaders like Jeff (and that is a stretch to call him that) they have to work with MAIN street where the money is. Jeff cannot and will not do this. So, as Chairman of RPV, he has been unable to meet his fund raising goals. And, I may add the 1 million he stated he raised is a bloated and untrue figure.
I appreciate the fact you voted for Jeff. But, he has failed in his duties. And this argument, that, we should keep him because its an election year is bogus. VA has elections EVERY year, so when is it the right time to make a correction?
Our Party is on the brink of collapse, and we have no leadership. Even if Jeff survives on April 4th, he is to divisive to lead this Party. See above for who all has come out against him. Can you really tell me that ALL these people are mistaken? Congressmen, Delegates, Senators, Candidates, Chairmen, former Transition Chairmen…
You have made Jeff into something he is not. He is not the Republican savior. He is a political mooch who has moved around the State taking credit for other people’s successes and failing to realize his own ineptitude’s.
I was a Hager person, I readily admit that, but Jeff had a chance to wow me, and he failed…miserably. He was unable to capitalize on the blood bath he was elected in, and took that huge win as a blank check to do with what he wished: which was his first mistake.
Finally, I cannot believe you are willing to support a leader, who has openly said there will be “scorched earth,” if he is removed. You support a man who is willing to tear the whole Party down? Is that a leader? It sounds more like a person with a Napoleonic complex.
That Hitler video was very much correct. Jeff has become a recluse, who has shut out advice from his advisers, believes he is God’s gift to humanity, believes there is a giant conspiracy against him, and thinks he did 0% wrong.
The only thing that shocks me is that he has so many people wrapped around his finger. People like you, Ann, who seem to be smart enough to be a Unit Chair, yet naive enough to think Jeff Frederick has been able to serve this Party in any tangible way. If you think this is a coup, you are wrong, it is people trying TIME AND AGAIN to work with a man who is unwilling to work together with other people, and furthermore, does not understand the system at hand. That being said, many of these people used to support him and it is because of his actions that they have just given up.
This is not about usurping your vote, its about restoring some level, albeit small to the office of RPV Chairman.
Thanks for reading.
AM, that was one of the best explanations of this mess I have seen to date. Well done.
See my latest post about just how “grassroots” his “victory” was:
http://tooconservative.com/?p=3444
He completely trashed John Hager for losing elections right after he took office, yet fails to hold himself to those same standards. He is a charlatan conservative – not the real deal. Get rid of him and put someone in place who can actually bring people together and perform the duties of Chairman as they should be performed.
Jeff has solid grassroots support? I suspect it would be more accurate to say that most people are simply unfamiliar with the debacle that has been his chairmanship. What does any grassroots activist have to be proud of that has come from the Frederick Chairmanship? His six months to build a mediocre website? That the party got a bloated staff while fundraising lags? That he put the party on twitter and facebook?
We are no farther along as a party compared to when Jeff walked in the door. And that is being kind. What is the point of having RPV as an operation if you are going to turn a blind eye to just how badly run the place is? The only people with Jeff are those who don’t know how much of a trainwreck things are or just do not want to take the blinders off.
One of RPV’s main roles is to provide support to the Party’s candidates. The Party’s candidate for Governor seems to believe his campaign would be better off with Jeff gone. The almost all of the leadership of the House, which will be fighting for their majority in a critical election leading into redictricting, think their campaigns and the campaigns of the colleagues and candidates would be better off with Jeff gone–the same Jeff they have known as a colleague for years.
How is McDonnell supposed to depend on RPV if he thinks Jeff cannot run the place? Why would anyone want to make the candidate for Governor run with a dysfunctional party operation that he feels he cannot depend on. If Jeff had the place cooking with gas and firing on all burners, but he doesn’t. The pilot light is out and Jeff couldn’t find a match if his life depended on it.
I find it difficult to fathom that the grassroots remain solidly behind an incompetent Chairman who is a risk to the Party’s nominees in their own estimation. An objective look at the dismal record of the Frederick chairmanship is pretty convincing, I would think. And that does not even take into account the charges the SCC has levied at him.
He needs to go. Plain and simple.
Well Toby, did the chairs go to the rank and file to ask their opinion? Or did they just assume the results and sign the letter? Did they get their arms twisted? See this is the problem with RPV that’s been exposed in this whole sordid affair. JF doesn’t listen to anyone, the EC, SCC, and certainly not the elected politicians don’t listen to anyone. And then all these personalities act surprised when the grassroots doesn’t agree with their decisions. Abuser fees, transportation tax authorities and all the rest of their ill advised actions were never vetted, and they have been handed their ass every election cycle since.
Now here is the all powerful RPV, reduced to little cliques in a struggle for dominance that still ignores the rank and file. You see, it doesn’t matter whether one is a moderate or conservative, it’s all about being trustworthy. The RPV has proven itself as a party not to be trusted, with their back room deals and sneaky legislation sprung on the public at the last minute.
What they have all forgotten is the real grassroots. The only ones that matter, who reject these little dictators and their tirades at the ballot box every chance they get. That’s why Virginia will continue to have Democrat governors and a more blue GA.
“little dictator” – we all know who that is.
I think for anyone to really understand Frederick they should take a long look at the following
Judicial Watch v. GXS and Jeff Frederick 02-092A / 02-CV-692-A (Eastren District Court Virginia)
Larry Klayman v. Jeff Frederick 03-1521 (EGS) District Court DC
Larry Klayman v. Jeff Frederick 02-4855 Superious Court District of Columbia.
Don’t just read the online summary. Get the file and read it page by page.
Mr. Roboto where’s the courage of your conviction. What is your word worth? You can’t even use your name and hide in the shadows.
I openly admitted that I am a Frederick backer. I don’t sway from that unless he’s convicted of theft.
However, now you bash me and make disgusting remarks about “fellating” just because, I now believe that there is too much oppostion for Frederick to survive? ?????
I wish it wasn’t true but, at this point it looks like the firing will be successful. I admit that and you pillory me for that!?!!?
Just because you have no conviction, just because YOU can’t use your real name, and just because you would just walk away even if you were innocent and therby be branded a theif doesn’t mean you are any better than someone that does hold to principle.
Further, why don’t you look up Staw Man. Nice snappy quote, that George Will came up with but, it doesn’t apply. I have directly repeated what has been posted here and presented my objections to it.
Mr. Roboto, in short, instead of throwing words out like “fellating” and using clever remarks authored my someone else, why don’t you just go and “Fellate” yourself.
Doesn’t Matter, I tried looking here:
http://dockets.justia.com/browse/state-virginia/court-vaedce/
and also I looked for some reference on the Judicial Watch page and couldn’t find anything. Are these recent filings? Have any direct links?
What makes RPV such a trainwreck? I’m not talking about supposed gaffes from Frederick, but nuts and bolts stuff like organization, staffing, support for candidates, list data, the ability to host a convention, etc. Fundraising lags behind where we’d all like to see it, but that’s always the case (and in present circumstances it’s not all that bad…we’re out of debt, after all). I see descriptions of “dysfunctional” and “trainwreck,” but I don’t know what that means other than that it fits with the desired narrative. Where Hairpiece mocks Frederick’s new media efforts, I see a 180-degree turnaround from before. Where he sees “bloated staff,” I see more boots on the ground to augment local efforts. This suggests to me two things: (1) people like Hairpiece will spin everything in the worst possible light for Frederick; and (2) absent countervailing proof, RPV’s functioning as a bulwark for candidates and local committees around the state has actually improved.
You may not like him, and you may buy into the schtick that he’s an absolute embarrassment, but I think I have the facts on my side when I say that Frederick’s performance on the fundamentals of RPV operations is objectively better than we’ve had for at least a few years preceding his tenure.
Britt
These are filings from 2002 and 2003. You will have to go to the courthouse youself and request the files. They are highly entertaining. Espically the hearing transacripts.
Steve, if your #2 holds true then why has this happened?
…every locality that has had a special election this year has now had it’s local chair come out for Frederick’s removal?
Alexandria (Murray – 46th)
Fairfax (Herrity/Cook)
Virginia Beach (Knight – 81st)
Norfolk (Cog)
If RPV’s efforts on the ground have really seen such a marked improvement compared to previous years then why are the folks who have had to fight these fights in recent months supporting his removal?
I’d like to believe that Frederick has turned it around, I really would. But when these guys say no, well, I can’t buy the ground pounding improvement argument.
And while the website may be slick, RPV’s new media operations have largely been astroturf. The point of “new media” is the “social” aspect of it. Yes, we now have the RPVNetwork, but beyond that RPV has chosen instead to use new media as another means to merely dictate to the grassroots, not engage them. When Frederick was elected chairman a good number of the members of The Jeffersoniad helped draft a memo to him offering some pointers on new media. The response was an invitation to participate but what that meant was, “hey, blog for us.” It wasn’t an open invitation to actually provide input on how to go about things. That door has never been open and any efforts to help in the past have led to no response or worse – RPV staffers aggressively asserting toward bloggers that they don’t appreciate critical thoughts. In person. To their faces. At party functions.
Across the board grassroots activists have offered to help RPV in any number of areas, but Frederick has proven to be unopen and unresponsive to their overtures. For better or for worse…
For the record… I was not coerced, influenced, or arm twisted in anyway. I signed the letter as an act of political conscience. In my view this failed experiment at RPV needs to end before it gets worse. I am willing to take the heat for my convictions because I truly believe it is in the best interest of the Republican Party of Virginia for Jeff to resign ASAP.
Anyone who suggest my motives are otherwise is an idiot.
Thank you.
Alright Britt Howard. I admit it. You’ve got me.
The time has come at last
To throw away this mask
Now everyone can see
My true identity
I’m Kilroy
Kil-roy
Kil-roy
(Dunh dunh)
Jason,
As I’ve said elsewhere, unless the people responsible for those positions in Alexandria, Fairfax, Virginia Beach, and Norfolk say otherwise, I think the reasonable assumption has to be that their reasons don’t include lack of RPV support for local elections (which is objectively better than it was before). Example: A helps B, then B denounces A. This does not equate to B saying A offered no help, particularly when the first proposition is demonstrably true.
On new media, I agree with you 100%. Really. I have two points to make, though. First, whatever legitimate gripes you have, it’s hard to deny that there has been marked improvement. Jeff should be fairly credited for that. Second, its our job to educate and work with those whose background and natural tendencies don’t easily mesh with technologies that haven’t always been a part of the political landscape. As valid as your criticisms are, it doesn’t do anyone any good to stay on the sidelines throwing brickbats, or to expect that someone else will just be able to wave a magic wand and make it happen…that would be an unfair criticism of John Hager, and even more so of Jeff Frederick. I’m somewhat familiar with the events you describe, but hope that you’ll keep trying, regardless of who is chairman.
Mr. Roboto, there’s one thing universally true about these stuffed shirt pseudo-conservative types – they have absolutely no sense of humor.
Mr. Bedell – you are a great example of a real conservative who is pragmatic, respectable, and absolutely worthy of Republican leadership responsibility.
Bedell For RPV Chairman!
[...] Frederick responded yesterday to the letter from nine unit chairs asking for his removal by dismissing their leadership: He noted “only nine” chairmen [...]
If you know who the winner will be, is it not politically expedient for you and your unit to side with the victor even if you feel personally that Frederick though hardly perfect, is a victim of a power play?
These units leaders also have to think about the future of the party and their unit. As an individual, and someone just blabbering on blogs, its easier for me to insist on fairness for Frederick. These units however, might get more political help for their local candidates if they side with whoever will win. They might individually even fear repercussions for not openly supporting the ouster. Some probably agree and some are just covering their interests.
LI: I hope you don’t mean that I’m a humorless stuffed-shirt pseudo-conservative. I was merely waiting for Roboto to thank Britt for giving him the opportunity to use a line he’s been sitting on since about 1984.
That’s funny, Steve!
[...] and here Virginia Virtucon and Bearing Drift report how nine GOP chairs (out of 130) have called for [...]