OKGOP Chair, Pam Pollard published a press statement on social media and other outlets, yesterday. It was a clear statement distancing the OKGOP State Committee from the statements of the Canadian County GOP. But in doing so, she usurped the authority she clearly does not have. The State Committee is scheduled to meet this Saturday, in Oklahoma City. That Committee is the supreme permanent authority of the state party whenever the party is not in a state convention. It is a body of around 300 members from every county and congressional district. Elected Republicans also serve on this committee. The behavior is clearly out of line and should be called into question by the committee members, this weekend. It is the sincere hope of many grassroots party volunteers that their party leadership exemplify the clear rules of the party, or step aside when they no longer can. The rules of the party are clear and few. The State chair is not to act as a dictator, and certainly not a hypocritical and inconsistent one. The state Committee will issue a clear position where they have some consensus. Otherwise they will not issue a statement. The Canadian County Committee at least has some clear consensus and adherence to a vision of what the GOP stands for. |
Pollard's Press Statement:
The Oklahoma Republican Party states without reservation that the comments made by the Chairman of Canadian County do not reflect those of the State Party and the over one million members of the Republican Party. State Party Chairman Pam Pollard said “The voters of the state of Oklahoma spoke very loudly in the election of 2018. We support education and the proper funding of state government.” Pollard continued, “Earlier today Governor-elect Kevin Stitt announced his leadership team. The Republican Party has complete confidence in the leadership of the Governor-elect and the legislature to make laws and create policy to make Oklahoma a top ten state.” “While we recognize the right of every citizen to state their opinion and make requests of the legislature, those comments should never be inferred to come from the State Republican Party”, concluded Pollard. |