Colorado GOP Chair Disputes Vote Removing Him From Position: ‘Illegitimate’

Following a Saturday vote that ousted Dave Williams, chair of the Colorado Republican Party from his position, Williams is disputing the vote on Monday calling it “illegitimate.”

According to the Associated Press, Williams, who has been at the helm of the party, has drawn criticism for steering the GOP toward more extreme positions. In addition, Williams’ leadership style and public confrontations with fellow Republicans who didn’t align with his ultraconservative vision have also intensified internal divisions that led to a vote to oust him, the AP reported.

On Saturday, Colorado Republicans ousted Williams with a vote of 161.66 to 12. According to CBS News, some people’s votes only counted for a fraction of a full vote as only members of the state party’s central committee and their proxies were allowed to cast votes.

Following Saturday’s vote, in a news release, the Colorado GOP called the meeting a “sham,” and said that a majority of the more than 400-member committee weren’t in attendance.

In addition, Williams condemned the meeting as “illegal” and “illegitimate,” telling the AP they can only seek to remove officers at the upcoming August 31 meeting.

“This fringe minority faction knows they cannot get their way in a fair meeting where the rules are fairly administered,” said Williams in a text message to the AP.

In an emailed statement to Newsweek, Williams continued by stating that the meeting was “beyond absurd” with “less than half of the total membership.”

“77 people of a fringe party faction don’t get to decide for 400 plus members at a fake meeting, and to even suggest that less than half of the total membership can meet without authorization and remove duly elected officers below the 3/5th requirement and then have even less than a quarter of total membership elect a new chair is beyond absurd,” Williams said.

According to the AP, the controversy will now hinge on differing interpretations of party bylaws, and the Republican National Committee may ultimately have to step in.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has already indicated it will recognize the outcome of the vote and the newly elected leadership, a move Williams quickly dismissed, stating that the NRCC “has no authority to do anything,” the AP reported.