Clark County resident Peter Hotrum shares his thoughts on the Washington State Republican Party 2024 Convention
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
‘Consent-of-the-governed’ isn’t just a pithy catch phrase, it’s how American self-government is intended to function from Washington DC to Washington state to the Clark County Republican Party. Many people believe Washington state is infected with fraud and corruption since mail-in ballots installed single-party rule. Don’t despair yet, there are pockets of function if you look for them.
As a first term Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) and first-time delegate to the Washington State Republican Party 2024 Convention in Spokane, I see reason for hope. By a show of hands, it appeared 70-80% of delegates were first-time attendees. I took it as a sign of grass-roots interest in self-governance and we-the-governed made our voice heard. On day one we confronted the tyranny of the small powerful committee and triumphed with the will of the people. The candidate committee appeared to fall prey to some convenient last-minute “information” and attempted to remove the state governor’s race from the list of endorsements. We-the-people made it loudly clear that was not our will and we ultimately triumphed with 72% of the state endorsing Semi Bird.
So, what happened to the loser Dave Reichert? Well mostly what we had was a rumor swirling around the convention. He never showed up to present his case to we-the-people much like his non-existent campaign for the last year while Bird ran laps around the state talking to everyone. Some people said he was on his way to the convention but heard there were a lot of Bird signs and he turned his limo around and went back to his lakeside vacation home and left his minions there to cause chaos for the rest of the convention. The next day we got a sort of confirmation from his own mouth that he was “given assurances” that he would not have to compete in a fair contest of ideas for leadership against Bird. Maybe he’s onto something – the last time someone campaigned from their basement and scripted events while minions did dirty work, they ended up a president.
The next controversial endorsement was for Public Lands Commissioner, a technical position managing state natural resources with data driven science against political pressure from special interest groups. Sue Pederson is a real true scientist well qualified with a career directly applicable to the job and we endorsed her with a resounding 86% of the state.
So, what happened to the loser? She was none other than our very own infamous Jaime Herrera Beutler from right here in Clark County, nationally renowned for voting to impeach the only president intent on making America great and infamous for ignoring her constituents and selling out faster than Biden to every special interest group who drives by and happens to glance her way. She probably would have done better if she’d stayed in her basement and called some friends at the Seattle Times to try to eliminate her opponent. Instead, she got very publicly spanked by a paddle the size of 86% of the state of Washington.
The rest of the races were all great candidates who presented great ideas for leading their respective positions and we endorsed with paper ballots hand-counted and verified with redundancy and observers. Unsurprisingly, it worked despite attempts to thwart the process. I commend Chairman Walsh for his patience and wisdom dealing with the endless queue of “point of personal privilege” and “I’m hungry let’s table endorsements” in the middle of voting. You can guess who those delegates voted for and their intended purpose for disruption. Keep an eye on Pete Serrano as he is well qualified and not running against an incumbent. Other candidates endorsed were Raul Garcia, Matt Hawkins, Dale Whitaker, and Dave Olson.
Here are some key takeaways for me. Despite abuses of Robert’s Rules, it works and gives a framework of order. Factions will always try to weaponize it, however. One motion stands out as a theme “I call the question” which is intended to end long and laborious debate that is tirelessly beating a dead horse. The first day it was used effectively to shut down those attempting to cause chaos and delay votes with filibustering and out of order motions. The second day it was used against the body of delegates to rush a vote on the platform that was only disseminated the night before and not fully discussed and the mass of the delegates did not know this would enshrine abortion into our platform simply because it was legal.
Most people agree there are many laws that are wrong. I’m disappointed the mass of delegates were not quick enough on their feet but I was proud to notice that Clark County had the largest group of hands trying to stop this addition to our platform because we’ve had a pretty serious focus on training the last year or so.
Lastly, committees are powerful and should get the trust-but-verify treatment. Two out of four committees at the convention attempted to pull-one-over on the body of delegates and one succeeded. As PCOs, if you hear the phrase “out of respect for you we decided for you” or “it doesn’t align with our strategic plan,” sit up, pay attention, take your role seriously, and let the will of the people be heard.
Peter Hotrum
Clark County
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As this article clearly points out, the expected arrogance and deceit of the establishment was on full display at the state convention.
When people say, ‘Republicans must unify‘, they ask that the earnest citizens find middle ground with corrupt and pathological liars that have historically controlled the Republican party. Virtue and right is killed in such unity–and we all move closer to the dark abyss.
Lars Larson absolutely disagrees with you.
So do I. Bird has a criminal record, the candidate vetting committee voted 5-4 in favor of suspending the endorsement vote. CCRP Chairman Bumala decided to reject the majority ruling of the committee and change the rules.
Bird withheld his criminal record from the vetting committee. But after his Bank fraud case was discovered and made the rounds on the internet he disclosed his backpedaling story to the Seattle Times.
Chairman Matt Bumala doubles down regardless of the facts-smack down that he received from Lars Larson.
https://m.soundcloud.com/thelarslarsonshow/matthew-bumala-wa-republicans-choose-to-nominate-a-convicted-criminal-for-governor?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2RfOXgDsjNbensUkZLH-JfjVjw5GwKaFgulM_P3upzu-yyMEO6camnd04_aem_AbILMoHymtudN9AIeMuvZC0_CokJSSEH0vKqiTOMxS-ZvTxpA1VyPNCd2sYTXNNrlqMvmnnSMuHLJ8NLGcsdbknU
Lars Larson is a self-serving establishment hack.
In a role of rapidly declining relevance.
The hit job on Bird was full blown character assassination.
As this matrix shows.
Apparently a decades old misdemeanor did not stop Semi from getting security clearance and becoming a Green Beret. A U.S. Army background check is more in depth than anything The Seattle Times or a state committee can accomplish.
IF you had bothered to become a delegate you would have heard that Chairman Matt was supporting a vote for Governor. He was supporting We the People. Letting a committee decide is very top down. Letting the delegates vote is grassroots. Matt was applauded for standing up. Matt was overwhelming voted as our Chair because he promised to support bottom up. He did his job. As a PCO you should have done yours and attended the convention.
There are few participants in the Clark County Republican Party who fecklessly rant against the great leadership of CCRP Chairman Bumala both at the County and State level as Mr. Busch has consistently done.
Chairman Bumala lives out the values of “bottom up” leadership and on the eve of the state convention when a group of 9 committee members voted 5-4 to not allow over 1800 delegates of the state convention to endorse a candidate for Governor, Chairman Bumala simply made a motion on the floor to accept the vetting committees report with the caveat that the body still would be able to vote to endorse either Reichert or Bird. It was the PEOPLE who resoundingly voted to keep the candidate endorsement for Governor on the schedule.
Mr. Busch (a Reichert supporter) is out of touch with the vast majority of the CCRP and the nearly 75% of delegates at the State Convention who are in support of Semi Bird for Governor!
You are absolutely correct Terry Busch. In the State of WA, which, like it or not, is left leaning, Bird has zero chance. So the GOP is wasting an opportunity to support a good centrist candidate who actually has a chance to beat Ferguson, for an excuse to pat themselves on the back and make a statement.
Completely self-defeating, but par for the course these days with the GOP.
I suppose it all depends on your definition of good. Essentially, it like matches with my definition of RINO.
You are as RINO as they come. I can’t believe you keep coming back in the same costume. Go to 4th Plain were you truly belong! The time you waist lying and fighting yourself is pathetic. PCO 940 Clark County 14 years. This person is a retard.
https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-let-the-will-of-the-people-be-heard/#comment-27485
For more than several years the Clark County Republican Party has experienced a “top down” and ‘bottom up” tug-of-war.
The latest Executive Board, led by Chair Matt Bumala, has worked to honor the “bottom up” approach and in so doing, this Board has garnered new found respect from other counties in the State.
The State convention was a glimpse into the establishment forces trying desperately to hold onto their grip on power. Chair Bumala’s motion to give the delegate body the opportunity to vote on who to endorse for Governor was a “bottom up” move that took exception to the Candidate Committee’s (“top down”) decision to forgo an endorsement vote for Governor.
Why did the Committee want to preclude the delegates vote? My belief is establishment members of the Committee saw the writing on the wall. Semi Bird is a popular candidate and they did not want their selected candidate, Reichert, to be saddled with his opponent getting the endorsement for Governor.
The argument, generally, is Republicans have to put forth a candidate who is a politician, who can walk a fine line between left and right and attract independent voters.
It is a tired and misguided viewpoint which has been shown, in the last 40 years, to be a losing strategy, locally and nationally. Many Republican voters in Washington, indeed around the Country, have abandoned voting just because of the “top down” approach by the establishment in “selecting” candidates. These “preferred” candidates stick in the craw of many voters, thus their abandonment of party politics and voting.
There is a reason the Populist movement (“bottom up”) in America is surging. Voters are disgusted with the “top down” establishment method of operation. In times past, “voting the rascals out of office” meant something. Voters must unite and get back to doing just that and ridding ourselves of the monied interests that have been despotically ruling our Party.
Change is coming and the establishment is fighting tooth-and-nail to maintain their control…but everyday folks are waking up…get used to it!
Don’t sprain your arm patting yourself on the back Peter Hotrum – in the State of WA, which is left leaning, Bird has zero chance.
We’d also have zero chance if Reichert won. Seems even to me.
Washington is more than just “left leaning.” It’s so far left that many normal people have fled the state!
Very well said Peter.