Representative Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, threatened on Friday to “look in a different direction for leadership” if Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dave Williams does not demonstrate clear support for GOP candidates across the ballot.
Williams has recently faced calls for removal from his position following contentions within the state’s GOP as the party abandoned its tradition of neutrality in the June 25 primaries.
The Colorado GOP endorsed candidates in competitive primary elections, drawing disputes from many in the party. Of the 18 candidates endorsed by the party, only four won their contests.
In addition, Williams, who has faced calls for his resignation since January, lost the 5th Congressional District primary despite endorsements from former President Donald Trump and Boebert. His loss and subsequent actions, including controversial remarks about Pride Month, have intensified demands for his ousting, with more than a dozen county Republican parties passing resolutions in June demanding Williams be removed.
In a social media post on Friday, Boebert expressed her concerns, describing the infighting within the state GOP as “embarrassing to watch.” She also accused Williams of failing to provide the necessary support and coordination since last month’s primary, calling it a “failure to lead.”
“The past month of public dissension and infighting in the Colorado Republican Party has been embarrassing to watch as we have a golden opportunity this November to flip seats at every level of government,” the congresswoman wrote on Facebook. “This isn’t about competing policies or ideologies; this is about a failure from Chairman Williams to lead after our Primary Election and simply reach out to candidates and organizations throughout Colorado and beyond to offer support, mend bridges, and present a clear gameplan of how we can win together in November.”
She continued: “An attempted, and likely contested, change in leadership at COGOP just 100 days out from Election Day will be disruptive and damaging, but Chairman Williams has put himself in this situation. I stand ready to publicly help and provide support to Republicans up and down the ballot, regardless of whether or not I agree with them on every issue. If Chairman Williams can’t do the same and refuses to show candidates he will, Republicans in Colorado and nationally will look in a different direction for leadership over the final 100 days.”
Newsweek has reached out to Boebert and Williams via email for comment.
The state GOP is set to convene on Saturday at a church in Brighton, 101 days before ballots are due on November 5, to decide whether to remove Williams and other party officials, including Vice Chairwoman Hope Scheppelman and Secretary Anna Ferguson. If removed, new officers will be elected to serve until next spring.
However, Williams has continued to reject calls to step down as party chairman.
According to Colorado Politics, who spoke to the Colorado GOP via text message, the state GOP responded to Boebert’s criticism by insisting that Williams and the party have already expressed full support for their nominees.
“We are not sure where Lauren Boebert is getting her erroneous information but Chairman Williams and the State Party have already expressed full support of the Party apparatus to our nominees and we are well on our way to providing resources to help get them across the finish line,” the party said in a statement to Colorado Politics.
In addition, the Colorado GOP said in a statement on Thursday to state central committee members that Saturday’s meeting won’t count, telling Republicans that the meeting was “invalid, illegal, and should be ignored as any business conducted will be illegitimate” as Williams attempted to block the meeting from being considered official party business by suing.
“SCC Members are advised to ignore his fraudulent call as any actions taken at his fake meeting will be invalid,” the state party said. “Your current leadership team will remain in place regardless of what happened at the unlawful and fake meeting this weekend.”
However, an Arapahoe County District Court judge recently rejected the motion to prevent the gathering.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
