Local Republicans at odds with committee
By Evan Carden Contributing Writer

A group of local Republicans is scrutinizing the practices of the Clarke County Republican Executive Committee concerning what it calls violations of the state committee’s by-laws and is looking to have the current committee revamped or replaced.

Billy Dukes, of Jackson, is serving as spokesperson for the group, which is claiming that several major infractions have occurred involving the management of the committee, which falls under the direction of its chairman Edmon McKinley.

A meeting is planned for Dec. 15, at 7 p.m., at the Jackson Steakhouse to address these alleged infractions. State Republican Party officials have been invited to attend the meeting. All interested in this matter are invited to attend.

The group alleges that the incorrect number of committee members exist, therefore making the committee itself invalid. “According to the by-laws we should have at least 25 committee members, and currently we have only 10,” said Dukes. “That’s all that were on the ballot this past June. I’ve spoken with the state party director about this matter and have consulted an attorney, who says this is a violation of the state party’s rules and Alabama law.”

Dukes added that a number of other counties may also be violating this rule by either not having enough members or exeeding the 30-member maximum. “This could have far reaching ramifications,” he said.

In addition, McKinley is accused of violating the state by-laws by failing to make public the membership of the county committee and not filing a list of its members with the state party as required. He is also accused of not publicly posting committee meetings, which is required under state regulations.

Prior to the June primary, nearly all of those who qualified to seek positions on the committee at the qualifying meeting in February had their qualifying forms returned, marked invalid by McKinley. According to several of those who had their forms returned, they were told by the chairman that he had failed to file them with the probate judge’s office within 10 days and feared the probate judge would disqualify those candidates.

The candidates affected com- plained to Tim Howe, state Republican Party executive director, who reportedly admitted that no such 10-day rule existed.

Other complaints include no name being submitted for election to the state Republican Executive Committee; failure to publicly account for qualifying fees given to the local party by those who ran for office; and money promised to candidates being delivered too late to help the candidates win elections.

In a statement by director Howe, Monday, he said the state party is working to make sure Clarke and other counties’ committies are in compliance with state rules.

“Some counties have stronger Republican support than others,” he said. “Because of this we (the state party) give county committees considerable autonomy. I’m sure there will always be some debate in counties about the practices of their respected committees. I think this is healthy because it is part of the democratic process.”

McKinley would only go on record as saying, “If we (the county committee) have any problems I will discuss them with the state party people to resolve them.”

Dukes, who sought a District 3 committee seat during the Republican primary this past June said, “What is the use of having by-laws if you are not going to follow them. They were put in place for a reason and I believe someone should have to answer for this.”

Next Friday’s meeting will be hosted by the Tombigbee Republican Club.

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