Below The Beltway

There are several reports in the Virginia blogosphere this morning that Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Jeff Frederick may be on the way out.

Now, it’s true that we’ve heard reports like this before. Back in December before the RPV Advance there were rumors that party insiders were going to make a move against Frederick. In the end, Frederick was given another term as Chairman. This time, though, it looks to be the real thing.

Over at Bearing Drift, JR Hoeft reports that the party’s executive committee is putting pressure on Frederick to step aside:

Several independent Republican sources confirm to Bearing Drift that members of the executive committee of the Republican Party of Virginia have approached Chairman Jeff Frederick to resign within 30 days.

Frederick, who has been much maligned recently because of his “mis-tweet” regarding power sharing in the State Senate and his comments regarding Charles Darwin, faces major budget shortfalls at RPV, which have led to staff lay-offs (according to another source, certain positions were always meant to be phased-out after the GA session).

State central members say that asking Frederick to resign is not due to any political disagreements, but that poor fundraising, the loss of three congressional seats and the US Senate last November, and his preference to use a technology firm which he has a personal interest in have caused the loss of confidence.

Because of the above, and combined with Frederick’s propensity to create controversy with his comments, nearly all of the State Senate Republicans and many of his former colleagues in the House Republican Caucus are also eager to see the chairman out.

Too Conservative provides additional details that would suggest that Frederick’s fate is sealed:

Two weeks ago, the Executive Committee met and decided to go forward with the process of removing Frederick. Letters were distributed to the State Central members, most of them hand-delivered, for their consideration and adoption. Each member who agreed to support the removal publically pledged so by signing a statement.

Successful removal of the Chairman requires 3/4ths approval of the 80-member body, or 60 votes. 64 letters and signatures were put on Jeff Frederick’s desk, and he was notified that if he didn’t resign, the Committee would move forward in removing him at the next State Central meeting in April.

Frederick has been quiet for much of the last week, but I’m hearing that rather than facing the music and resigning quietly, he intends to go down fighting.

The Central Committee will move forward on publishing a call 30 days in advance of their next meeting in April, listing the reasons for removal and calling for a vote. The charges include misuse of RPV funds and staff, and questionable actions regarding the race to succeed him in the 52nd District.

If Frederick does intend on engaging in a battle that will do little more than harm the Republican Party of Virginia in a year where it looks like they have a decent shot at all three statewide races, then it’s just further evidence, along with his apparent disdain for New Media campaigning, his stupid remarks about Barack Obama during the `08 Campaign, the Twitter debacle, and his insanely stupid remarks about Charles Darwin, that he needs to go. Now.

As for who might replace Frederick at the head of the RPV, Virginia Virtucon notes that
former state Delegate Paul Harris and former Congressman Tom Davis are among the names being mentioned.

Whoever it is, it won’t be Frederick, and that’s a good thing.