TRACY HARRIS-Staff Writer
tharris@themarshallcountypost.com
The Marshall County Republican Party (MCRP) CEC (County Executive Committee) met on Dec. 6, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. at the library. The CEC consists of officers of the MCRP, the immediate past chair, President of the Marshall County Federation of Republican Women, and President of Young Republicans of Marshall County. Vince Cuevas said Chairman Craig Blackwell “Tried to vote through text first. Thankfully we convinced him to have a meeting.” The meeting was not announced online nor planned prior to Dec. 6.
Earlier that day, Secretary Beverly Denton sent out the following:
“Request per Craig Blackwell, MCRP Chairman
Good Afternoon,
I am sending this email to ask to vote on a donation for Rep Todd Warner. I feel like he has done a great job representing our county and being a big part of our party. I would like to request we make a $3500.00 donation to help on his re-election bid. I am sorry a meeting can’t be put together due to the holidays and if we are going to make a donation it will need to be done before the end of the year.
Thanks,
Craig Blackwell
MCRP Chairman
Please reply with your vote as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Beverly Denton”
Chairman Blackwell called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Scottie Poarch led prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance followed. Minutes from Aug. 15, 2023, were approved.
The Treasurer’s report by Chuck Peter brought discussion on the following items: 2024 membership costs/dues will remain the same at $20, annual fundraiser raised $14,350.00-after the event’s expenses $9,281.47 remained, a $500 donation to the Pregnancy Resource Center, purchase of membership pins, and printing new membership cards by Southern Charm Printing.
Those present were all CEC members: Craig Blackwell-Chair, Janet Heckle-Vice Chair, Chuck Peter-Treasurer, Curtis Denton-Vice Treasurer, Beverly Denton-Secretary, Sharon Peter-Vice Secretary, Scottie Poarch-Chaplain, Sam Smith- Parliamentarian, Julie Quan-Immediate Past Chair, Mary Cedeno-President of the Marshall County Federation of Republican Women, Vince Cuevas-President of Young Republicans of Marshall County, Chris Morris- TN Republican Party State Executive Committee (SEC), Angie McClanahan-TN Republican Party State Executive Committee (SEC); along with Tracy Harris-member of the press, and Kathleen Warner-daughter of Todd Warner.
Scottie Poarch made a motion to give State Representative Todd Warner $5,000 and Senator Joey Hensley $1,000.
Quan asked, “So is that a different motion than what was in the email? Are we starting from scratch? So the motion that was in the email, that is off the table? Because that one was against the bylaws.” Quan asked for clarification of the motion. Blackwell restated the motion and it was seconded by Curtis Denton. Discussion ensued.
Quan said, “When we donated to Rick Tillis, it brought some division. Our mission is to help elect Republicans and right now, we don’t even know if there’s a Democrat running against him, so that’s something to think about. It’s a lot of money and we’re not bringing our members into this discussion. They helped us raise this money…We don’t have to bring them into this discussion, but it just seems like it’s a lot of money to not bring it up at a meeting to get input from our membership. This is not necessarily a good thing to do without getting membership input.”
Cuevas added, “It did cause issues not only with Tillis, but in the 2022 election with candidates than ran against Todd. He got a donation basically right before the primary.” Cuevas is for donations being done earlier in the year “in September.” Quan said that she brought even brought it up earlier in the year, “in February at our dinner.”
“It should not be worded ‘for the re-election’; it should just be a donation,” Cuevas pointed out. Quan clarified, “The reason the original motion was against our bylaws is because it was worded to help in his re-election bid.”
Blackwell asked, “Well what did I put on there?” Quan read Blackwell’s email out loud and added, “It’s against the bylaws for a chair to do and it’s 100% against the bylaws for our county to vote positive on this motion to donate to him for re-election.” Blackwell pointed out that the motion made by Poarch is different and not worded for Warner’s re-election bid.
Cuevas said, “The only issue I have is that if somebody decides to run Monday, they’re going to find out we gave Todd Warner $5,000 the week prior and that’s not going to sit well with them. I think we should wait until after the primary like we’re probably supposed to anyways to help him fight after against the Democrat. We don’t even know if he’s going to have a Republican challenger or a Democrat challenger this year.”
Blackwell interrupted discussion and reminded everyone there was “already a motion on the floor for $5,000.” Quan reminded Blackwell, “We have to be neutral until after the primary. It’s not up to us to favor, or pick one. As a party, we are neutral.” Curtis Denton called for the question and Beverly Denton seconded. This meant all discussion stopped and it was time to vote.
Those who voted in favor of the $5,000 to Todd Warner and $1,00o to Joey Hensley were: Craig Blackwell, Janet Heckle, Beverly Denton, Curtis Denton, Poarch, and Smith. Those who opposed were: Chuck Peter, Sharrin Peter, Mary Cedeno, Vince Cuevas, and Julie Quan. Angie McClanahan and Chris Morris abstained.
The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
