Internal struggles in the local Republican Party have taken a noticeable turn, with the election of a new slate of officers.
In the election of officers of the Republican Executive Committee, the winners were: Charles Barr, chairman; Howdy Russell, vice chairman; Holli Dean, secretary and Pam Burton, treasurer.
One of the dissidents posted on social media that the “pro-Trump” faction won the day. He later said that assessment might have been due to exuberance. But another said the said the former officers were “establishment Republicans.”
In short, it was a spirited contest rather than a routine shuffling.
Former chairman Dean Black was not eligible to run. He is a state committeeman and state representative now. His endorsed candidate for chairman lost.
Barr has been active in politics, on the TRUE Commission, Arlington Republican Club, a Citizen Planning Advisory Committee (CPAC) and he ran for City Council.
Barr told Eye, “I knew Chairman Black was not going to run and I wanted to see some changes. That’s why I ran.
“I’ve known the others for years. I know their character and they have the same vision. I had a campaign team, and we reached out to them and started planning.”
Former chairman Robin Lumb called Barr “a breath of fresh air.”
At the least the change is likely to quell the inside elbowing that has been going in the conservative party. Barr has promised unity and that can do nothing but add to the gains in membership and positions won during the past few years.
