Yates Jr. Wins GOP Chair

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

The New Mexico State Republican Party’s Central Committee elected Harvey Yates Jr. as their next chairman, Saturday, to replace Col. Allen Weh, who did not run.

Yates beat Dr. Allen McCulloch, left, who ran for the U.S. Senate against Jeff Bingaman in 2006 and lost, and political novice Michael Meyer, right, who is a managing director of an Albuquerque investment advisory firm. Former State Legislator John Padoven withdrew from the race Thursday, throwing his support to Yates.

So what’s wrong with this picture?

There was no tally of the vote and numbers were not immediately available.

In addition to the election of the party leadership, six rules amendments were voted on and five failed, including the adoption of parliamentary order.

Further analysis will be posted when the Party provides the complete figures.

Though welcomed to cover the Central Committee event, I was ejected from a post meeting session called by Yates with Legislators and selected Party members by Communications Director and acting Executive Director Whitney Cheshire, left, with Weh, prior to the adjournment of the main meeting.

This is in conflict with Yates' campaign statements and the Rules Of The Republican Party As adopted by the 2004 Republican National Convention August 30, 2004.

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Republican Party is the party of the open door. Ours is the party of liberty, the party of equality of opportunity for all and favoritism for none.

It is the intent and purpose of these rules to encourage and allow the broadest possible participation of all voters in Republican Party activities at all levels and to assure that the Republican Party is open and accessible to all Americans.

I have no reason to believe that Yates was aware of Cheshire's action or that he would have approved. In his speech, accepting the nomination, he spoke of transparency.