What’s Behind The Brogdon Resignation?

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By Mike McCarville

It’s the burning question: What’s behind Randy Brogdon’s resignation as Republican State Chairman?

Brogdon is publicly silent.

But here, from multiple conversations with party leaders, is the picture we’re getting:

Brogdon has been discouraged by the failure of his fundraising efforts; insiders say those who normally donate significant sums have declined to do so under Brogdon’s watch because, it is said, Brogdon’s allies continue to denigrate those not considered in their “grassroots” network.

Brogdon has been frustrated by what he perceives as efforts to block any changes he wants to make. Just this week, he essentially was called on the carpet for his attempt to remove Oklahoma County GOP Chairman Daren Ward from the party executive committee. Ward has been a Brogdon critic. Party rules apparently do not allow the chairman to remove executive committee members. A conference call on the subject reportedly occurred Tuesday night; Brogdon’s stunning announcement came Wednesday morning.

Brogdon has not resigned; sources say he will do so in the 24 hours and the resignation will be effective immediately.


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  1. Teresa Turner, 03 September, 2015

    At the first meeting we had after Randy Brogdon was elected, when I started to go to the executive meeting Cheryl Williams informed me that I was no longer on the state executive committee. I thought it strange that I was not informed of that, and since I did not have a copy of party rules with me I did not attempt to go into the meeting. After reading this I now assume I am still on the committee and will certainly check into that immediately!

  2. mikes1voice, 03 September, 2015

    I certainly would not take Cheryl Williams’ word on anything. Check it out.

  3. mikes1voice, 08 September, 2015

    Teresa, did Cheryl Williams cite an authority for her remark to you? Why was she telling you that? And what have you found out?

  4. Jamison Faught, 03 September, 2015

    The rules state that the County Chairman from each county that maintains a staffed headquarters (“a minimum of 20 hours per week, 24 weeks annually in election years, 20 weeks annually in non-election years”) is on the State Executive Committee. Oklahoma County and a few others qualify, from my understanding. Hence why OK County’s chairman cannot be removed.

    From my reading of the rules, the only executive committee members that a chair could theoretically remove would be from the 10 at-large members appointed by the chair and vice chair. All other committee members are specified by the rules (i.e. district chairs/vice chairs, auxiliary heads, etc).

  5. OK Gal, 04 September, 2015

    Who knows what the finances are? it’s been a carefully guarded secret. Brogdon doesn’t even know the rules and he has been divisive from Day 1. His decision to resign is overdue, but now at least I have some respect for him. The experiment with allowing a certain faction to dabble with the Party is over. 2016 is too important a year to play games. Let’s hand the reins over to people who know what they’re doing.

  6. Troy Fullerton, 04 September, 2015

    OK Gal…I am somewhat let down by the situation. Despite initial appearances, I hoped it would work out. There is a faction of the party that attempts to call itself “the grassroots” while painting everybody else as an “establishment RINO”–nevermind the fact that probably 4/5 of the people they’re trying to walk over rough shod are good-hearted, God-fearing, morally-minded, small-government conservatives who are just as outraged the spineless “RINO’S” in Wash. as they are. Never mind that—if you’re not one of them, then supposedly you’re not a “Lover of Liberty” and need to be shoved out of the way. If Randy Brogdon thinks that way, then he needs to go. Some people cannot exercise leadership without bull-dozing their way in, trying to ram-rod their agenda down everybody’s throat, and throwing their weight around, with complete disregard for the feelings and sincere concerns of others. People like that can’t work with anybody who doesn’t whole-heartedly embrace everything they do. Well, it doesn’t work that way–and unless Randy is able to learn compromise, diplomacy, and leadership that inspires others to follow (rather than “get on board with me or get run over”), he’s never going to make it as party chair.

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