5:25 PM We’re done and adjourned.
5:24 PM Now we wait for Republicans to again sue their own Party over its governing body’s interpretation of its rules. This is getting tiresome.
5:20 PM Jon Berkley has been found to be have failed to function as a district chairman. One person at the back of the room let out a cheer. On Fauquier, all resolution of appeals have been postponed. Should the Fauquier litigation turn in favor of the Party, the State Central Committee has determined that, in light of all the foot dragging, obfuscation, and skullduggery in carrying out the ruling of the State Central Committee in August, if the current litigation against the Party fails (as it should), the RPV Chairman will be in charge of re-running the Fauquier Canvass. If the lawsuit succeeds, the SCC has essentially washed its hands of the whole mess.
5:07 PM It would be nice to have a State Central Committee meeting without having to decide an appeal of some unit or committee that can’t get its act together. Just once.
4:58 PM Voting going a little slowly (no dedicated ballots, so we’re improvising).
4:50 PM I spoke pretty forcefully about the State Central Committee needing to vindicate its authority…when rules are flagrantly broken, when State Central rulings are openly ignored, and when the General Counsel’s binding rulings are blatantly set aside, we must enforce our authority. Mike Thomas follows with discussion about how this vote puts the Party “at great risk.” Voting has begun, by secret ballot.
4:35 PM Debate pro and con, with people talking past each other and missing the point…no one addressing the key question: does a chairman who continuously violates the rules constitute a non-functioning chairman?
4:22 PM Berkley defending himself on what it takes to be considered “functional.” Argues that success of getting Republicans elected is evidence of being functional. Says that everything being brought against him is sour grapes. Unfortunately, that does not address the rules violations that are part of the appeal.
4:19 PM Motion has been made by 5th District SCC Member Chris Shores to remove 5th District Chairman Jon Berkley. Mike Thomas makes the point that removal requires a procedure that hasn’t been followed. Debate proceeds, apparently on the basis that this isn’t a removal, but is instead a finding that Berkley has ceased to function as a District Chairman, which under the Plan only requires a majority vote. Thomas feels (but has yet to argue) that the apparent conflict in these provisions should be interpreted in a way that doesn’t make the stricter provision inapplicable.
4:06 PM Whitbeck quips, “Now, after that message of unity, let’s get on with the agenda,” a sardonic recognition of the ugly business of having to hash out a very contentious set of issues in the 5th District and Fauquier. The 5th District issue is up first.
4:05 PM Whitbeck leads with speech stressing the need to shed the labels (establishment, grassroots, etc.) and instead be Repubicans first. Pledges to give Republicans a reason to be Republicans first.
4:00 PM John Whitbeck elected by acclamation.
3:57 PM Wheeler’s letter ends with a refusal to accept the nomination, and instead offering a resounding endorsement of Whitbeck.
3:56 PM Colgate reading a letter from Rev. Wheeler, who makes a moving appeal as the grandson of slaves who is now in a position to fight for freedom.
3:52 PM 2nd District Chairman Curtis Colgate has nominated Rev. Aaron Wheeler for Chairman. Yours truly nominated John Whitbeck. So much for running unopposed.
3:46 PM Succeeding Mullins will be 10th District Chairman John Whitbeck, who is running unopposed. Whitbeck appears to be well positioned to lead, with good standing among all quarters of the Party. Whitbeck is ready and fired-up, and reportedly has already outstripped Pat Mullins on fundraising, even before taking office.
3:43 PM The first order of business before SCC is going to be the election of a new Chairman to replace the retiring Pat Mullins. Immediately prior to the meeting Mullins was given a send-off luncheon to celebrate his service as RPV Chairman, and his prior roles as chairman in Louisa and Fairfax. Speakers included Peter Snyder, Steve Mullins, Ollie North, Eugene Delgaudio, among many others.
3:34 PM Outgoing Chairman Pat Mullins just brought the gavel down, 34 minutes after the scheduled start.
