Michael cares about himself, not the party

In most elections where there is competition, whether it is a club, church or even a national political contest, the losing contestant will congratulate the winner and offer his support. This did not happen in the Augusta County Republican Committee chairman election.
Instead, the loser, Kurt Michael, declared himself the winner and appealed to the 6th District Committee of the Virginia Republican Party to support his declaration.
District committee Chairman Fred Anderson asked Michael to “please e-mail the issue you wish to be resolved ...” Michael did not comply but Anderson began to prepare for an investigation based on telephone conversations and e-mail exchanges. Anderson requested that each “candidate” submit a statement attesting to his being duly elected as unit chairman and said the statement must be attested by at least 25 signatures of people who attended the mass meeting and voted. I sent such a statement signed by 49 people. Michael did not comply.
Anderson established a fact-finding committee to interview each candidate. We were allowed to bring two people with us to support our claim. Michael did not appear before the committee, nor did he send someone to represent him. I presented my case as scheduled.
The fact-finding committee made its report after the regular 6th District meeting May 3. The fact-finding committee consisted of Rick Claybrook and Vito Gentile, Shenandoah Regional vice chairman, who was the designated chairman. The recommendations of the committee were that I was legally elected chairman and that Michael’s claim to chairmanship had no standing. Michael was permitted to speak at the district committee meeting. I was not. The district committee voted 15-8 to reject the recommendations of the fact-finding committee.
When the members of the 6th District Committee would not permit me to speak and correct some of Michael’s statements, I realized it was time to answer the questions I have received from interested voters in our area.
One of Michael’s statements before the 6th District Committee was, “Where is a copy of the appeal?” I was legally elected, as reported by the fact-finding committee. The only appeal was when Michael contacted Anderson by e-mail requesting a meeting with the 6th District Committee.
I agree with Michael that there were irregularities during the mass meeting.
The first one came after Jim Bailey was elected temporary chairman by a 138-110 vote. As he stepped up to the lectern, he requested a copy of the agenda. Michael stood up and announced to the assembly that if Jim wanted to be temporary chairman, then he should have prepared his own agenda. Michael claimed that the agenda he had was his own property.
Excuse me! The agenda he had was the one approved by the county committee members in March. Therefore, it was the official committee’s agenda, not Michael’s.
A second irregularity occurred when it came time for the secret balloting for chairman. Bailey asked for ballots. Again, he was told that if he wanted ballots, he should have prepared them. Bailey was denied the prepared ballots. Someone stated that they had a box of 3-by-5 index cards that may be used. Credential chairman John Wert conducted the balloting with representatives for each candidate observing. I won,141-110.
I was invited to address the assembly. Michael stepped forward and proceeded to take over. Bailey declared the meeting adjourned and about 200 of the credentialed voters left.
State Sen. Emmett Hanger stepped forward and said, “Kurt, don’t do this. Let Larry conduct the meeting so that we can get the 6th District delegates and the state district delegates certified.”
Michael ordered Hanger to leave: “If you don’t, I will have you thrown out.”
The senator and I both left while Michael conducted his illegal meeting with only 59 of the 271 credentialed voters remaining. This was the meeting that the fact-finding committee stated was not legal and had no standing. In spite of the facts, the 6th District Committee rejected its own fact-finding committee’s report. This decision is now being appealed to the state party.
Obviously, the irrational behavior of Michael demonstrates that he is not interested in “what’s good for the Republican Party.” He’s more concerned about what authority and power he can attain for himself.