The Washington County Republican Party chose a new vice chair to fill the vacant role after the previous vice chair was removed from office last week amid accusations of insubordination.
Juli Merciez, who initially held the office, won her bid as vice-chair in March against Tom Stearman, husband of State Committee Member and former state Rep.Wendi Stearman, during the Washington County Convention.
The party’s Executive Committee recommended Tom Stearman to fill the vacancy, which was approved by the Washington County Committee Monday at Calvary Chapel Church.
John Kahre, who was also nominated during the meeting, spoke about wanting to bridge the gap between the current factions in the Washington GOP.
“We’re a divided group, and I didn’t know how it got here to tell you the truth,” Kahre said. “I’m amazed, shocked, never seen anything like it.”
Stearman was asked if he wanted to address the assembly as well and replied with, “Does anyone need me to address you?”
“I ran for vice chairman at the convention. I won’t restate my speech from there. For the purposes of this gathering, I’ll just state I recognize and embrace the vice chairman’s role to aid the chairman and to preside in his absence. That’s what I intended to do.” Stearman said.
Stearman won with a vote of 13 votes. Kahre got 3 and 11 people either left before the vote or abstained.
“I’m just happy to be past this and ready to do the county’s business.” GOP Chairman Larry Murray said.
A Walk Out
During the executive committee nomination process, a handful of members left the assembly after a motion was made to remove one of the assembly members for “dilatory” actions.
“When someone was going to make a motion to have Alexander Johnson removed, I couldn’t stand by for that.” state Sen. Julie Daniels said. “Then, when [Alexander] announced they didn’t need to make a motion and he would leave on his own, I and others decided to go ahead and step out as well.”
Among those who walked out was state Rep. John Kane, but those who stayed behind saw things in a different light.
“We’re not going to kick them out of a room or ask them to leave the room,” said Precinct Chair Lashelle Griffith, who made the motion to remove Johnson. “They’ve all had an opportunity to reach out to us individually to discuss, and they come, and they want to be dilatory instead of letting business be completed.”