Ronna's Rules: Dudenhoefer Says MIGOP Chair Didn't Handle Vote To Certify Convention Results Properly

Dudenhoefer  (DarKen Photography)

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

13th GOP Congressional District Chair David Dudenhoefer is concerned with the way MIGOP Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel ran the State Committee meeting after this weekend's convention.

Dudenhoefer says Romney didn't even ask for "no" votes when the question of whether or not to certify the convention results was originally presented.

Only after being pressed did she ask for the "no" votes, and conservative activist Marian Sheridan contends their may have been more "no" votes than "yes"  votes...

"The Party Chair, Ronna McDaniel, asked for a motion to accept the results of the Convention," Dudenhoefer tells WMP. "(I)t was seconded, however she did not allow for discussion and simply went right to accepting "YAY" votes, during which time, "point of order" was called out and ignored. What Disturbed me, was she chose not to ask for "NO" votes. When I inquired about the "NO" votes, she said, "Fine, let the record show Dave Dudenhoefer votes NO".

I insisted that she must ask for any "NO" votes, when she did a nearly equal amount of "NO" votes could be heard to the earlier "YAY" votes, "Division" was ignored and the certification was approved in "her opinion."

>>>Dudenhoefer issued the following statement to WMP:

"Process should never take a back seat for results.

As one of the District Chairs of our Party, I was frustrated by the lack of clarity on how and when voting would take place for the coveted "At-Large" Delegate slate to the RNC National Convention this summer in Cleveland.

Upon a further inquire, voting apparently took place somewhat quietly, while I, along with other Chairs, were still seating alternates. Few in my District as well as other Districts were aware the vote had already occurred.

Many Delegates who took time out from their daily family and work life, were essentially made to feel like window dressing for a desired result by a select few on a committee.

It was apparent a voice vote was taken with little regard to making certain everyone in the convention hall knew what was taking place.

I spoke with at least five other District Chairs that day who also expressed similar concerns over process, and being unaware of what had taken place.

During the process of certification of convention by Sate Committee members, I rallied as many as I cold to make a statement and to vote "NO" if they felt similar angst about the process.

The Party Chair, Ronna McDaniel, asked for a motion to accept the results of the Convention, and it was seconded, however she did not allow for discussion and simply went right to accepting "YAY" votes, during which time, "point of order" was called out and ignored. What Disturbed me, was she chose not to ask for "NO" votes. When I inquired about the "NO" votes, she said, "Fine, let the record show Dave Dudenhoefer votes NO".

I insisted that she must ask for any "NO" votes, when she did a nearly equal amount of "NO" votes could be heard to the earlier "YAY" votes, "Division" was ignored and the certification was approved in "her opinion.".

No matter how a participant felt about the results of the Convention, process seemed to matter less over results, when that occurs the voices of the backbone of our party also ceases to matter. We mast never let that happen.

Our party can only grow, when we follow the rules and are inclusive. Our leaders need be held accountable when that does not occur, and if necessary we must be wiling to replace them."

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com Facebook
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Photo By Darlene Dowling Thompson