When the RPA has its summer meeting of the State Committee on May 18, the committee will vote on two proposals to amend party rules. The proposals and the timing for bringing up the proposals have upset some members of County Committees who have been expressing their concerns. Over the past several weeks, County Committees have responded to these proposed rules changes by passing resolutions condemning them. (Some Arkansas Republicans Upset By Proposed Party Rule Changes)
Most recently, the Washington County Republican Committee passed a resolution opposing two rules changes being proposed at the Republican Party of Arkansas’ summer meeting, affirming “that power should default to the People, and to those bodies most closely representing them, in accordance with the RPA Platform.”
At the committee’s regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 16, State Committeeman Mike Landry brought the resolution forward. Landry stated that these two proposed rules changes were intended to take power away from the grassroots organization and the changes encouraged a concentration of power. Landry explained that several other committees had already passed a similar resolution and it was his hope Washington County would join them. The 1st and 2nd Districts led the way by passing a resolution condemning the proposed rules changes at their joint congressional meeting in Little Rock on Saturday, February 17, 2023.
The 1st and 2nd Congressional District make up a combined total of 38 out of 75 counties, which is a little over half, otherwise – a majority.
After discussion, the Washington Co. Republican Committee overwhelmingly passed the resolution with only two audible ‘no’s.’
Here is a list of the Republican Committees that have passed Resolutions opposing the Rules changes:
Pulaski County Republican Committee
Benton County Republican Committee
Crawford County Republican Committee
Faulkner County Republican Committee
Lonoke County Republican Committee
Lonoke County Conservative Republican Women
Saline County Republican Committee
Searcy County Republican Committee
Washington County Republican Committee
— 400 delegates approved a similar Resolution at the Joint Congressional Districts 1 & 2 Convention on February 17 with only 1 dissenting vote.
There is still time for your county committee to pass a similar resolution! Click the link to download a sample resolution to take to your county committee. Action Alert >>> GOP County Committees Resolution Against RPA Proposed Rules Changes
ICYMI:
Read our most recent article about these RPA proposed rules changes here: Some Arkansas Republicans Upset By Proposed Party Rule Changes
Watch Conduit’s interview with 2nd District Chairwoman Jennifer Lancaster as she shares her thoughts and concerns over the call and proposed rules changes as well as the recent 2024 RPA Standing Committee Appointments: RPA Call to State Meeting and Proposed Rules Changes.
Washington County Republican Committee Chairman Brian Lester also joined Conduit to talk about these proposed rules changes along with the state of the RPA. Watch that interview here: Washington Co. Chairman on State of the Republican State Party
