Although the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) has not yet updated its website to reflect new leadership on its state central committee (SCC), activists across the state are talking about the implications of changes on that governing body.
Over the last several weeks, at conventions in every congressional district, grassroots Republican activists have been choosing their leadership. Chairmen of each congressional district serve on the SCC’s executive committee, which essentially sets the agenda for the governing body. Three members of the SCC are also elected from each congressional district.
This year, grassroots convention delegates made some changes, in some cases choosing candidates endorsed by the Tea Party and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli over incumbents.
- – In the first district, Eric Herr defeated incumbent chairman Tom Foley.
- – In the third district, Chris Stearns won a heated contest with incumbent chairman Chris Woodfin, who had tangled with Ron Paul delegates.
- – In the tenth district, John Whitbeck easily captured an open seat being vacated by Howie Lind.
- – In the eleventh district, Terry Wear won a three way race, defeating incumbent Becky Stoeckel.
- – In the remaining districts, delegates returned incumbent chairmen to their posts.
Across the state, delegates sent new representatives to state central, as well as returning seasoned members of the SCC to their posts.
I am one of those new members.
Personal Excursus
After starting my campaign in December, I worked for months recruiting delegates, attending unit committee meetings and, after the units had selected their delegates, calling to introduce myself to as many of them as I could. I have to say, it has been an energizing experience.
As one of six individuals running for three state central seats, I had the privilege of participating in a remarkably focused and respectful intra-party contest. I criss-crossed the 10th district, meeting many like-minded patriots and discussing our shared priorities. It was an energizing experience. I got to work with a great team who delegates also choose to represent them on the SCC. In our district, two current SCC members were running and one, my friend Kay Gunter, was re-elected. I think all of us respect the Republican activism of those who were not the top vote-getters at our convention, too. It takes a lot of commitment to run for any volunteer party leadership position. At our convention, the race for elector took a most interesting turn when two of the individuals running used their speeches to endorse a third, taking a four person race down to a head-to-head contest.
The absolute best thing about running for the SCC was seeing so many new conservatives becoming active for the very first time. In my informal survey of delegates, I’d estimate that 20-25% of those attending our 10th district convention were participating for the first time in a party process. I reflected on this in my speech last Saturday:
“At my first Republican convention, I caught a vision for engaged citizenship. For fighting for the principles of liberty that I believe in. I haven’t stopped since. Some of you are attending your first convention today. I hope you won’t stop either.”Of course, being elected is just a start. As a new member of the SCC, I have a lot to learn. Most of all, I hope to represent the Republicans of the 10th district well and to promote the principles of liberty from within our party structure. Lastly, I can’t forget to publicly thank my husband, who not only helped with my campaign but also put up with my frequent absences as I attended this meeting or that.
/personal excursus
Now that the district conventions have concluded, activists are asking what implications the changes on the SCC will have with regard to the management of the state Republican party. I don’t know. I haven’t even gone to a meeting yet! However, it is already being reported that the new SCC will be asked to consider the method by which we nominate our candidates in 2013.
So, that’s the lay of the land on the RPV SCC. What do you think? Do you know any of the new SCC members or District Chairmen? How can we best lead Virginia Republicans forward, promote conservative principles and help elect our party’s nominees?
