Chairman Dave Williams Removed: Inner Chaos Grips GOP

In a sweeping decision, Colorado’s GOP has ousted its Chairman Dave Williams, sparking discussions on the internal discord within the party.

At a Glance

Opponents of Dave Williams elected to remove him as Chairman of the Colorado GOP.
Williams was ousted with a vote of 161.66-12 by the Colorado GOP central committee members.
The vote also led to the removal of Vice Chairwoman Hope Scheppelman and Secretary Anna Ferguson.
Eli Bremer was elected to serve as the new chairman.
The GOP’s internal conflict could escalate to involve the Republican National Committee or court intervention.

GOP Removes Dave Williams from Chairman Role

Dave Williams was removed as Chairman of the Colorado GOP following a vote by the party’s central committee. In a dramatic meeting, 161.66 members voted for his ousting while only 12 voted against it. The vote was aimed not only at Williams but also resulted in the removal of Vice Chairwoman Hope Scheppelman and Secretary Anna Ferguson. This marks a significant shift in the party’s internal dynamics.

Eli Bremer has been named to serve out Williams’ term as the chairman, with Brita Horn elected as vice chair, and Kevin McCarney as secretary. These changes came amidst growing dissatisfaction with Williams’ leadership style and strategy, which some members criticize as being divisive and ineffective.

Colorado Republicans vote to oust Dave Williams as state party chair, but he rejects meeting as 'illegal' (via: @eluning ) https://t.co/YWaHsTJ4TB via @colo_politics

— Colorado Politics (@colo_politics) August 24, 2024

Williams’ Controversial Tenure and Immediate Reactions

Williams faced various criticisms during his tenure, particularly his poor fundraising efforts and controversial use of party resources for his congressional campaign. Notably, the Colorado GOP only raised $12,897.89 last month while spending nearly $110,000. The financial strain and strategic missteps led many to question his leadership capabilities.

“The chairman has taken extensive, unprecedented action to attack Republican candidates and fellow Republicans,” said El Paso County District Attorney Michael Allen while making the motion to remove Williams.

Party division is intensified as some members of the GOP recognized the results of the meeting, while Williams and his allies dismissed it as a “sham.” The meeting’s legitimacy is further complicated by contentious rulings from different parliamentarians and an Arapahoe County judge’s decision that he lacked the jurisdiction to rule on the meeting.

Attendees at two separate GOP meetings in Colorado on Saturday voted to remove several state party officers, including GOP Chair Dave Williams, who denounced the meeting as “fraudulent" https://t.co/NCrDnkykL4

— Denver7 News (@DenverChannel) August 25, 2024

Future Implications for the GOP

The vote to remove Williams indicates growing ideological conflicts within the Colorado GOP. Prominent Republicans, including former Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams and former Colorado GOP Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown, attended the Brighton meeting. This internal strife has already sparked speculation about its potential impact on the GOP’s performance in the upcoming general election, with mail ballots set to be distributed in just 48 days. Todd Watkins, who initiated the meeting citing Williams’ failure to comply with a petition, emphasizes that the change is about better leadership and performance.

“This is about leadership, or lack thereof. This is about performance. It’s about competency, and really, it’s about professionalism,” said Todd Watkins, Vice Chairman of the El Paso County Republican Party.

The coming days will likely see both factions preparing for a prolonged conflict that could involve the National Republican Congressional Committee and potentially the courts. As Bremer seeks to stabilize the party, he plans to hire an executive director and open an interim party headquarters.