Oklahoma County Republican Chairman Daren Ward
By Mike McCarville
The Oklahoma County Republican Party will ask the party’s State Committee, its ruling body, to direct State Chairman Randy Brogdon to terminate the employment of TC Ryan.
Daren Ward, Oklahoma County GOP chairman, will unveil a proposed resolution to that effect at a Wednesday morning news conference.
The resolution will be presented during the State Committee meeting in Tulsa on Saturday.
Ward, Vice Chair Evelyn McCoy, elected officials and representatives from organizations that deal with the issue of domestic violence on a daily basis will attend the 11 a.m news conference.
Evelyn McCoy served two terms as president of the Oklahoma City Republican Women’s club. She is a strong advocate for women.
TC Ryan’s jail booking photograph.
The action comes as the controversy over Ryan continues to boil. Ryan, with domestic violence guilty pleas in his background, was appointed to a Republican State Committee post by Brogdon. Despite numerous requests that he dismiss Ryan, Brogdon has refused. The controversy is expected to dominate this Saturday’s GOP State Committee meeting in Tulsa.
Ward has been outspoken in his criticism of Brogdon for his refusal to remove Ryan from his party position.
These are the questions / concerns that I have:
1. Why have we still, at this late date, not been told precisely what happened? At this point, it IS our business because this has become the focal point of major conflict within the party, and vague stories are being circulated on both sides.
2. We keep hearing about repentance and forgiveness—If T. C. Ryan did something wrong and repentance has occurred, what did that look like? Did he try to make things right with his ex-girlfriend? Has he asked HER forgiveness? Has he offered to pay medical bills or tried to make restitution? T. C. Ryan didn’t do anything to us, so it is not up to us to “forgive” T. C.—but it DOES matter if he has gone back and tried to make things right.
3. Along with repentance, there’s such a thing as “bringing forth fruit meet for repentance”. If we were talking about youthful indiscretions that happened years ago, things that are now “water under the bridge” and have been outweighed by an exemplary lifestyle since, that would be one thing. But this is not ancient history—it only happened a relatively short time ago. Did Mr. Brogdon really not think this was going to come up?
I don’t hate T. C., and I don’t want to see him crucified. And this has nothing whatsoever to do with his (or Brogdon’s) libertarian leanings, either, despite all the stupid rumors to that effect. People have legitimate, REAL concerns—and those concerns need to be addressed so we can move on. Hopefully, with this resolution bringing things to a head, real dialogue can finally occur so this can be laid to rest once and for all—but it’s going to have to be honest discussion without power plays, bluster, or temper flares, and without accusations that we’re all “out to get” Brogdon—that nonsense doesn’t work anymore.