Calls for Dave Williams’ ouster as Colorado Republican Party chairman draws rebuke

An effort to oust Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dave Williams has led to the formal censure of the petition’s circulator — the Jefferson County party chairman — and an apparent reversal of the efforts of its own management committee.

Nancy Pallozzi started the petition last week. It lists a number of concerns about Williams’ leadership, including the party’s violation of neutrality during this year’s presidential primaries in Colorado when it endorsed former President Donald Trump. The petition, which received support from several Republican officeholders, also cites Williams’ history of “continually encouraging division rather than unifying the party.”

In an interview earlier this week, she said an anti-LGTBQ+ email and a social media post encouraging people to burn Pride flags were the final straw.

She sought the provincial party’s endorsement Thursday evening but was instead criticized for stepping outside the party structure.

Pallozzi circulated the petition as an individual leader within the party, and not on behalf of Jefferson County Republicans, she said this week, although she published the effort on the party’s Facebook account, under the letterhead, calling for Williams to resign. to act.

The formal reprimand states that Pallozzi’s actions “have not been in the best interests of the Jeffco Party, its candidates, its supporters or its members,” according to to a copy distributed throughout the state party. Furthermore, it specifies that her actions are “null and void” – and demands that she hand over all materials and communications documents on the matter, including media she has spoken to and contacts with other district chairs.

The censure also prevents Pallozzi from further communication on the matter.

“This action addresses only the issue of the Chairman’s actions without authority and should not be construed as an endorsement of or opposition to any statement or action by any other party,” reads a statement from the Jefferson County Executive Committee.

Pallozzi did not return a message about the censure on Friday. She previously said she had enough support from other state central committee members to force a vote on the leadership of Williams, who was elected chairman early last year. It is not clear whether that will still happen.

The move had received public support from several prominent Republicans in the state, including state lawmakers Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer And Representative Lisa Frizell And candidates for this month’s primaries.