El Paso GOP clashed over rule change that some see as setting up a ‘purge’ of critics

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The El Paso County Republican leadership is in a row over a proposed rule change that some say could allow the county’s controversial chairwoman to “purge” her critics from the party.

It’s the latest sign of ongoing divisions that have ravaged the GOP organization in the largest Republican-controlled county in the state, even as the state party hopes to make gains in Colorado in the election. of 2022.

The sweeping proposal would create a process for the El Paso County GOP Chairman to remove someone from the party organization for “malfeasance or mischief” or for a “violation of the party’s national and state platform.” .[s]”. This penalty could extend to elected officials in office. The language is expected to be voted on early next month.

If approved, Speaker Vickie Tonkins would only need 25 signatures from other party members in order to appoint a five-person panel to determine whether the individual should be barred from the Republican Party for four years. A two-thirds vote at a central El Paso County meeting would be needed to finalize the decision.

“A successful vote to censor and delete is immediate, final and without appeal,” the proposed change reads. “Upon being removed from the El Paso County Republican Party, the individual shall relinquish all official titles and seats held in the party.”

The rule change would also require the party to try to have the person’s Republican affiliation revoked through the El Paso County Clerk’s Office. However, County Clerk Chuck Broerman said his office cannot change a voter’s party affiliation unless that person requests it, describing the idea as a potential voting rights issue. and a violation of the constitutional protection of people’s right to join their country’s political party. choice.

“Where is the power of a clerk and recorder to unilaterally remove someone’s membership? Where can they indicate in the law that I have this authority? said Broerman, a Republican.

State Sen. Larry Liston of Colorado Springs said he believed the whole rule change was a way for Tonkins to go after Republicans she had a vendetta against.

“I’m not a candidate for election, but I’m sure Mrs. Tonkins would like to get rid of me. I have no doubts about that,” Liston said.

Kevin J. Beaty/DenveriteRepublican District 16 Rep. Larry Liston reads the big news on the last day of the legislative session, May 10, 2017.

Liston is one of several elected Republicans from El Paso County who have publicly disagreed with Tonkins in recent years. She was asked to resign following a social media post that asked if the COVID-19 pandemic was a “psychological operation”. Local leaders have also tried to strip her of financial control of party funds and criticized her ties to a local group that describes itself as a “constitutional militia”.

However, the local party members involved in the modification of the statutes strongly defend the proposed policy.

“The proposed rule came about after extensive and thorough review by the entire committee and was unanimously approved,” said Jeremy Goodall, chairman of the El Paso GOP Bylaws Committee in an emailed response. to questions from journalists. “To me, personally, it would seem obvious that people seeking to promote themselves to the general public as Republicans would be, and should rightly be, held accountable by other Republicans for the precepts and platform of the Republican Party. .”

Goodall said the purpose of the change is to extend the accountability measures that are already in place for precinct leaders and party officers to more people involved in county party management. And he called it “illuminating and informative” which Liston would assume would be personally targeted.

The Colorado Republican Party said it is aware of the proposed changes to the statutes in El Paso County and said the state party’s attorney is currently reviewing them.

“We support the right of every registered Republican to participate in our party. This is not something we will respond to via the media,” CO GOP Executive Director Joe Jackson said in a text message.

Members of the El Paso County GOP Central Committee, which includes elected officials and local party leaders, are scheduled to vote on the proposed rule change on Feb. 5.

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