The PCOs in attendance celebrated some successful wins from candidates that were endorsed by the party at the previous quarterly meeting

Matthew Bumala, chair
Clark County Republican Party

On Saturday, Nov. 18, the Central Committee for the Clark County Republican Party met for its quarterly meeting. The PCOs in attendance celebrated some successful wins from candidates that were endorsed by the party at the previous quarterly meeting, which included Battle Ground City Council races for Eric Overholser and Victoria Ferrer, Myrna Leija for La Center City Council and Gary Wilson for Evergreen School Board. 

At the previous quarterly meeting, the body of PCOs voted to give money toward those candidates. In an amazing sign of unity, Overholser, Leija and Ferrer all expressed that instead of taking the money the body had allocated for their campaigns, they wanted to give some of that back to help Gary Wilson in his race for school board. This helped Wilson unseat a liberal incumbent that has been there for over two decades. In the end, all of their campaigns succeeded. 

Additionally, the body confirmed several committees that are aimed to structure the party for success for years to come which included having specific missions for candidate vetting, volunteer management and PCO/volunteer training. The goal and desire of the Clark County Republican Party is to have a well-oiled machine that has a long term, successful apparatus that helps Republican candidates win and assists in the mission of conservative causes. 

Lastly, the body voted without opposition to renew the censure of Kathy McDonald, a current PCO and former vice chair of the CCRP. According to the party’s bylaws, the censure that was originally made in February would only last nine months. The reason for the censure in February was because McDonald violated clear bylaws that forbid any member to support a Democrat candidate. She violated that by helping to fundraise and support Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for Congress when the party had endorsed Republican Joe Kent. 

McDonald falsely claimed that the body wasn’t following the law when she was censured in February and showed no regret for her actions. In the past nine months, she has continued to show no remorse for her actions which is why the body renewed her censorship without opposition. Accountability is important to this body and we will not compromise the mission we are on by allowing this behavior from members of our own party. 

The CCRP is looking forward to successful, productive precinct caucuses in January as we approach the 2024 election season.