In a significant political development, Dave Williams, the Colorado Republican Chairman who recently made headlines for his controversial stance on Pride Month, has been defeated in the GOP primary race. Williams, who had urged the burning of Pride flags, faced mounting criticism from within his party, leading to a concerted effort to remove him from his position.
The controversy began when Williams sent a mass email from the state party attacking Pride Month, referring to LGBTQ individuals as “creeps,” “degenerates,” “godless,” and “reprobates.” The email, titled “God Hates Pride,” was followed by a social media post from the state GOP calling to “Burn all the #pride flags this June.” These actions sparked outrage among many Republicans, including Jefferson County GOP Chairwoman Nancy Pallozzi, who launched a petition to force a vote to fire Williams.
“It is an aggressive move, but what Dave has been doing for the past few months is just unacceptable anymore,” Pallozzi told Colorado Politics. “He is not speaking on behalf of the Republican Party. He is speaking for himself.”
Williams, however, remained defiant, stating that he had no intention of stepping down. “We look forward to the discussion over their defense of Pride Month and its harmful agenda against children while notifying their constituents of their publicly aligned Pride position with radical Democrats,” Williams said in a text message.
Despite his resistance, the backlash against Williams grew. Republican state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer, the party’s 2022 nominee in the 8th Congressional District, publicly called for his resignation. “Instead of focusing on what unites us, under the leadership of Dave Williams the message from the state GOP has been one of division fueled by hateful narratives,” Kirkmeyer said.
The petition to remove Williams quickly gained traction, with Pallozzi announcing that she had already obtained more than the required number of signatures from members of the state GOP’s central committee to convene a meeting to consider his removal. Under the party’s bylaws, 25% of the committee’s membership must call a special meeting of the governing body, and an affirmative vote from 60% of those in attendance would remove a party officer.
Several Republican congressional candidates, who are also members of the GOP state central committee, expressed their support for Pallozzi’s petition. State Rep. Richard Holtorf, an Akron Republican running in the crowded 4th Congressional District primary, noted that he had been calling on Williams to resign for months. “I am glad to see Jeffco stepping up,” Holtorf said in a text message.
State Rep. Mike Lynch of Wellington, another congressional primary rival, also indicated his support for the petition. “I will be in support of any effort to remove the feckless head of the Colorado Republican Party,” Lynch said.
The controversy surrounding Williams’ leadership extended beyond his comments on Pride Month. Todd Watkins, the El Paso County GOP’s vice chairman, criticized Williams for using his position to support his congressional campaign. “Dave has proved it. You can’t do both,” Watkins said. “You can’t be the chair of the party and run for Congress at the same time. He has absolutely used his position in charge of all the finances, all the resources, and diverted them to his campaign.”
Watkins also condemned the state party’s email targeting Pride Month. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Watkins said. “Tell me now how I, as a Republican in Colorado, can defend myself now that my leader has said this on behalf of all Republicans? How can I convince you I’m not a Christian nationalist and not a right-wing extremist?”
El Paso County Republican Chairwoman Vickie Tonkins, a longtime Williams ally, defended him, calling the effort to remove him a “Trump-hating witch hunt.” However, Kristi Burton Brown, Williams’ predecessor as state party chair, supported the state central committee’s right to consider their options.
Boulder County GOP Chairwoman Tara Menza also expressed her disapproval of Williams’ actions. “We do have to be sensitive with party politics, but I’m not on board with hate and division, not on board with it at all,” Menza said. “We have more LGBTQ voters in Boulder County than in most places, and Dave alienated our entire base.”
The culmination of these events led to Williams’ defeat in the GOP primary race. Political consultant and talk radio host Jeff Crank emerged victorious in the 5th District, defeating Williams. Crank, a more traditional Republican, is less inclined toward fiery invective and the party’s hard-right wing.
Williams’ defeat marks a significant shift in the Colorado GOP, highlighting the internal divisions within the party. His controversial stance on Pride Month and the subsequent backlash from fellow Republicans underscore the challenges the party faces in balancing its conservative values with a more inclusive approach.
As the Colorado GOP moves forward, the focus will likely shift to rebuilding unity and addressing the concerns raised by Williams’ leadership. The party’s ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial in determining its future direction and success in upcoming elections.
Source: Colorado Politics, The Associated Press
