There's been movement this week in the months long standoff between feuding factions in among the Illinois Republican National Hispanic Association (RNHA-IL), and official statements from the two groups indicate the disagreement continues after February 2011's divided state convention.
First, the DuPage County RNHA leader Ric Gruber sent out notice that he had been provided additional information that convinced him to reconsider decisions made in February, and that now he was acknowledging Rafael Rivadeneira as the state president of the Illinois RNHA:
The confusion over the past several months with respect to not only the RNHA DuPage County Executive Board Election, but also the IL RNHA State Convention has been well documented. As is the case with all of those involved who have given their time and money to this organization around common goals, it is unfortunate that the disagreements of a select few resulted in a tumultuous fracturing over the past several months both during the elections and since.
Whether as the rightfully elected Chairman of RNHA DuPage County, or as appointed by the previous IL RNHA State Executive Committee, post December 2010 RNHA DuPage County Election, I must report that since that time reports have been provided to me that I was previously unaware of. As a result of the communications by several RNHA DuPage County members who were not granted access to the RNHA DuPage County phone election, a new RNHA DuPage County election may be warranted. My decision is based upon the fact that the amount of RNHA DuPage County members disenfranchised may have led to a different outcome in the RNHA DuPage County election, therefore the error was not a harmless one and a new RNHA DuPage Country election or a reconstituted RNHA DuPage County chapter may and should serve as options to remedy the situation.
Furthermore, there has been a continuous debate amongst members across the state of Illinois regarding the State Convention held in Dixon on February 5th, 2011. As stated by the RNHANC, the Executive Committee elected with Mr. Rivadeneira as its’ President is to be recognized by the ILRNHA because “…the various findings of fact and rulings by the Parliamentarian pursuant to but not limited to the RNHA of Illinois Bylaws and Roberts Rules of Order are presumed correct and the RNHA will not disturb such findings absent a showing of an abuse of discretion or other legally compelling reason.” Mr. Orlando did challenge the recognition of the state organization and state committee which were organized during the original Convention, and he filed an appeal with the RNHA National Executive Committee. However, until such time as the RNHANC states otherwise there is a presumption that the Executive Committee with Mr. Rivadeneira is to be recognized and is recognized as such by the DuPage County RNHA.
Sincerely,
Ric Gruber, RNHA DuPage County Chairman
-- Received June 7, 2011 at 11: 58 AM --
Then on Wednesday, a representative from the opposing RNHA group announced they had been notified that the Republican National Hispanic Assembly had withdrawn its recognition of the Illinois chapter, another twist in the ongoing story. A press release from Veronica Vera on behalf of the "RNHA of Illinois" said:
As many are aware, the Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) of Illinois has been involved in an internal dispute regarding it’s state leadership based on events that occurred at the biennial convention on February 5th. On February 26th, the Chairman of the national organization began deliberations, taking into consideration the events leading up to and on February 5th. With that information, the RNHA Executive Committee (RNHAEC) would determine a remedy to the situation.
Yesterday, via certified mail, the members of the RNHA were informed of their conclusion. Effective immediately, the RNHAEC has withdrawn its official recognition of the Illinois Chapter of the RNHA.
“While we are saddened at the decision and unfortunate circumstances that led to it, I believe this decision gives us the best chance for a fresh start. We hope to be able to rebuild the organization better than before as we start new county chapters, build membership, help Republican candidates win elections, and support our members that have a desire to run for office,” stated Steve Orlando, one of the two disputed State Chairmen.
To Hispanic Republicans across the state, we encourage them to continue advocating for and supporting the Republican Party. This is by no means a failure. As we advance to the 2012 election cycle, the help and support of the Hispanic community is crucial, and we must continue to let our voice be heard on behalf of the Republican Party.
We appreciate the support we’ve received from the RNHA National Executive Committee, the Illinois Republican Party, Federation of Illinois Young Republicans, and countless Illinois Republican leaders and elected officials, and we ask that you join us in our commitment to work tirelessly to continue to welcome Illinois Hispanics into the Republican Party.
-- Received June 8, 2011 at 12:58 PM --
But the June 8th notification that the national RNHA group was dropping recognition applied only to the breakoff group that also identified itself as the RNHA of IL, not the group headed by State President Rafael Rivadeneira, a subsequent release from the first RNHA group reported. The national RNHA has not officially notified Rivadeneira nor any other RNHA-IL Executive Committee member of their decision to oust the RNHA of IL. Thus, Wednesday night, the original RNHA-IL distributed the following statement at the RNHA-IL website:
To the members of the RNHA:
Much communication has gone on regarding the status of the RNHA IL chapter. There has been no communication received by any member of the RNHA IL Executive Board elected at the 2011 RNHA IL State Convention and recognized by the RNHA Executive Committee to date. To our knowledge, the only person that has received any communication regarding the status of the RNHA IL chapter has been the Will County Chairman Mr. Steve Orlando, who filed an appeal, contesting the results of the state convention. This suggests to us that the response from the RNHA National Chairman was to Mr. Orlando's alternative "Republican" political organization and not the RNHA IL.
In any event, to our knowledge, the process set out by the RNHA Executive Committee required a trial and a vote of the RNHA Executive Committee. To our knowledge, a decision has likely been made by the National Chairman, without a vote of the RNHA Executive Committee. What that decision is we do not know. As we have not received a letter, it suggests to us that any National RNHA decision was intended for Mr. Orlando's group alone - not for the state organization.
Until clarification is provided from the RNHA Executive Committee on any process that may be necessary to appeal a decision that has been duly voted on, and after consideration by the RNHA National Committee, who is the "ultimate authority" regarding this issue per Rules No. 3, No. 7 and No. 15b of the Rules of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly; we the RNHA IL are employed in an effort to empower Hispanics and bring Republican and conservative values to voters beyond the Chicago machine and across all of Illinois. Let's put this behind us and get to work!
More updates to follow on this developing story ...
