Congressman Steve Russell and Republican Party chairman candidate Pam Pollard today are stepping up criticism of incumbent Chairman Dave Weston over his handling of a proposed change in the state’s presidential primary date.
They contend Weston advocated changing the date without seeking proper input from party leadership.
“I’m glad to see Congressman Russell voicing the same concerns I expressed last week,” says Pollard. “Changing the date of our Presidential Primary and National Delegate process is a significant overhaul to make unilaterally. I agree with Congressman Russell that he should have brought this issue to the State Committee for approval. He clearly circumvented the party structure by excluding elected officers from offering any input.”
“Despite multiple State Committee meetings, executive meetings, and conventions held in counties across the state, this issue was not brought forward for discussion until well after the legislative bill was requested and already moving through the state legislative process into law,” Russell said in his statement.
“Moving forward, it is important that we consider those for party chair who will listen and implement the wishes of the people in accordance with our party platform and rules.”
Russell is referring to SB-233 which died in committee after Weston spoke in favor of it.
Pollard points to this as yet another example why it’s time for a change in party leadership
“As I speak to Republicans across Oklahoma I hear a common complaint that people feel excluded from the process,” says Pollard. “When I am elected State GOP Chairman, I will never shut anyone out and I will never shut anyone up.”
The election is this Saturday at the GOP Convention in Oklahoma City.
Weston should come out with a public apology for how the process was managed.