By Mike McCarville
Just-elected Republican State Chair Pam Pollard and her Vice Chair, Estela Hernandez, face an immediate challenge: Raise money.
Former Chairman Randy Brogdon apparently left the party tens of thousands of dollars in debt when he bailed after less than five rocky and controversial months in the job.
Pollard, whose election surprised few insiders, is an accountant who has been tracking party finances. Brogdon failed to provide complete financial data during his tenure; he claimed former Chairman David Weston left the party in debt, but he never produced documentation to prove that. Brogdon claimed he raised enough money to cover the alleged debt.
Before his election Brogdon sided with those sniping at “establishment” Republicans despite the fact that business owners usually are those who support the party financially. Brogdon was able to raise some money through appeals to individuals, but what was raised clearly was not sufficient to sustain the party’s operation.
Brogdon’s involvement with the dissident “grassroots” wing of the party also did not sit well with members of the congressional delegation and state officials, most of whom have come under attack by that group. Thus, the delegation wasn’t eager to help Brogdon raise money.
