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Just as the wake of the 2008 presidential and congressional elections left the national GOP in a divisive split over its future, the Allen County Republican Party has distinct – and warring – elements.
Moderates, represented by Chairman Steve Shine and most local elected Republicans, continue to hold control over the party. But the ultraconservative element represented by Matt Kelty – who remains active in the party despite his guilty plea to a campaign-related felony – and failed chairman candidate Ric Runestad loudly represent a segment of disaffected Republicans unhappy with a lot of things.
To get an idea of just how conservative this wing is, consider that Congressman Mark Souder is too liberal for its members.
The scene of the March vote for county chairman exemplified the split: Shine won with 211 out of 338 votes, but some in the audience then booed when Shine was announced the winner. Conservatives are ignoring Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment both locally and nationally.
Just as on the national level, locally the party’s right wing demands that the GOP become even more conservative while moderates insist that Republicans won’t win by narrowing their views.
Recent history is on the moderates’ side because mayors cannot be elected without support from independents and voters from the other party. Republican Paul Helmke won three terms as mayor because a number of Democrats and independents supported his moderate policies. Democrat Graham Richard won two terms for the same reason. Democrat Tom Henry won not only because of opponent Kelty’s legal problems but because of the Republican candidate’s hard-right positions.
– Tracy Warner
