Georgia’s Republican Party has taken action against one of its officers, Brian K. Pritchard, after an administrative law judge discovered that he had unlawfully voted nine times following his relocation to the state.
In a decisive vote of 146-24, the state Republican Committee opted to remove Pritchard from his position as first vice chairman. This decision, confirmed by state Chairman Josh McKoon following a closed-door meeting, reflects the party’s stance on maintaining integrity in elections.
Georgia’s political landscape has seen serious upheaval as supporters of former President Donald Trump have asserted influence within the state’s Republican Party. This shift has led to the ousting of previous leaders and a renewed focus on Trump’s unfounded claims of electoral fraud in the 2020 election.
Georgia Republican Party Addresses Election Concerns, Removes Officer Who Broke Voting Rules
Despite these internal tensions, the party’s emphasis on “election integrity” has resulted in legislative changes, including Governor Brian Kemp’s recent signing of a law facilitating the removal of individuals from voter rolls based on challenges to their eligibility.
The findings against Pritchard, however, have been particularly embarrassing for many Republican activists. An administrative law judge determined that Pritchard, who relocated to Georgia after a past conviction, had voted illegally in multiple elections. Pritchard denied any wrongdoing, attributing the allegations to his opposition to so-called “Republicans in name only” (RINOs).
Following McKoon’s request for Pritchard to step down, Pritchard refused, leading to his removal from office. This move underscores the party’s commitment to upholding election integrity, as McKoon stated.
The ousting of Pritchard could fuel further contention within the party, particularly in the upcoming election for representatives to the Republican National Committee.
Challengers, driven by similar sentiments that propelled Pritchard’s election last year, are vying for positions on the committee, signaling ongoing divisions within Georgia’s Republican Party.
