Detmers name was not among those supporting a call for IL GOP Chairman Pat Brady's resignation. Below, she intimates that Brady might ultimately step down without a vote, writing: "But I will promise you I will take into consideration the points you have made when and if we do vote. Honestly, I think this will end up being resolved without a vote, but that is at pay grades far above me."
According to Detmers:
1. The bylaws of the the state party allow for meetings of the committee to be called by either the State Party Chairman of a signed letter of 5 members of the committee. The meeting for last weekend was called by 5 members of the committee. As it was a duly scheduled meeting, I did indeed plan to drive to Tinley Park and back on Saturday until I received a call at 10:00 p.m. the night before the meeting was canceled. It is my understanding a group of the State Central Committeemen had a conference call where they decided to cancel the meeting. I was neither invited nor informed on this conference call.
2. Chairman Brady had previously called a meeting for Chicago on April 13. I had planned to attend this meeting before this meeting was called. I still plan to attend this meeting.
3. Chairman Brady had made it very clear that he was unable to attend the meeting in Tinley Park last weekend. He had a long standing trip planned to Arizona to look at colleges with his daughter. It was not something that could be re-arranged. I did feel very strongly that if we were going to talk about an issue that involved the Chairman - the Chairman should be at the meeting. It would be like one of our counties deciding that a county chairman should be removed at a meeting the county chairman couldn't attend. I just didn't think it was appropriate. However, since the meeting was called - I did plan to attend.
4. The bylaws of the state central committee are very clear that when a special meeting is called the agenda for the meeting must be included and only those items on the agenda can be discussed. There was no agenda included in the call for the meeting. Two separate lawyers indicated that should a vote be takend to remove Chairman Brady, then that same vote would have to be ratified again at the April meeting. I had concerns about having to have this vote twice and how that would play in th media. However, since the meeting was called - I did plan to attend.
5. Prior to the meeting, I did call other State Central Committee members to discuss my concerns. I had good, direct conversations with many of the other members. I want to make it perfectly clear, Mr. Winchester was one of those I called. In fact, I called him on his home phone and his cell phone - and left him voice mails. Mr. Winchester did NOT return my calls. So in no way can Mr. Winchester be speaking on my behalf.
6. Prior to the meeting, I also thought it was prudent to discuss the issue with other partners in the party - specifically the major donors. I asked for a list of the top 20 donors to the party in the last 4 years. I then called the Finance Chairman of the party to discuss the issue with him. To my surprise, I am the ONLY member of the State Central Committee to call him to discuss how this is impacting the party. We had a good, honest discussion. I was prepared, with his permission, to share his thoughts at the meeting. I now plan to call he and some of the other donors before the next meeting.
7. As I said to all of you in my last e-mail, I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. This is a personal conviction, based upon my own religious beliefs.
8. I also take my party position seriously. I have been a Republican for my entire life. I walked my first precinct when I was 5 with my grandfather. I was the President of my college Republican group. I have been a precinct committeemen in every county I've lived in. I've been a county chairman. I've been a delegate to every state convention since I was 18. I take this very seriously. Our party is at a serious crossroads in this state. Our state is at an even more serious crossroads. We have issues that we should be winning on - financial - but we aren't. I want to move ahead. Just like you.
9. To move ahead, I think we have to have a serious discussion - as a group - as the state central committee - in person - with Pat Brady there. I've said this from the beginning of this. That is scheduled on April 13. I am not going to promise a vote on a resolution I haven't seen. But I will promise you I will take into consideration the points you have made when and if we do vote. Honestly, I think this will end up being resolved without a vote, but that is at pay grades far above me.
10. As always, I am happy to meet with any of you individually, with your committees, or talk to you on the phone. My contact information is below. If you want a meeting of all the chairmen before the April 13 meeting I will be happy to arrange that. Just let me know.
I hope this clarifies some of the information that is floating around. I thank you for all you do.
Deb Detmers is State Central Committeeman for the 12th CD, and a longtime campaign staffer for Congressman John Shimkus.
