The Alaskan Republican Party (ARP) met at their Anchorage headquarters Thursday evening to discuss the fate of their newly elected chair, Russ Millette. About four hours later, the State Executive Committee found that Millette did not perform the duties of a chair-elect and removed him from his newly appointed position.
"The Executive Committee are really responsible for the operations of the republican party," SEC Regional Representative Bruce Schulte said. "We have a fundamental mission which is to get Republicans elected, it's important our leadership is up to that task. The body felt that this was the way forward."
Millette said the decision had already been made before the meeting.
"They didn't want me," Millette said. "They found a reason to get rid of me. They've overruled a majority vote of the convention which I think I got a 54 percent. They just told the convention it didn't matter. We don't want him. He's gone."
As the Executive Committee moves forward, Millette will have another opportunity to present his case the State Central Committee in Juneau on Feb. 9.
"I don't know if it will be more fair at the State Central Committee in Juneau than it was tonight," Millette said. "Do I want to go through this again, I don't know."
Schulte said Millette has every right to go through the appeals process. Millette says he will discuss it with his attorney Wayne Anthony Ross and his wife before making a decision.
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