The Kansas GOP Rules Committee Controversy

A couple weeks back, on May 12, NewsWeek came out with an article titled, ‘Kansas Republicans Want Black, Women Groups Kicked Off Board.’ In the article, they state:

“Earlier this week, the Kansas GOP’s rules committee advanced a proposal to change years-old party bylaws in an effort to oust several special constituency groups, along with state and federally elected Republican officials, from the board, which oversees party operations and budgetary decisions. This would give a core constituency of loyal party insiders greater control over party operations and budgetary decisions.”

They also say in the article that ultimately this would consolidate power, allowing the newly elected state GOP chairman Mike Brown to reshape the party to his liking. The comments for this article showed strongly negative attitudes toward the Republican party and the proposal.

This is an issue that has been going on for months. According to a statement from the Republican National Hispanic Assembly – Kansas (RNHA) on March 1, they, along with the Kansas Black Republican Council (KBRC), and the Kansas Federation of Republican Women (KFRW) “have made multiple private requests to State Party Chairman Mike Brown to call an Executive Committee meeting so the body can consider the ongoing ethics violations, financial concerns, and proposed staff appointments.”

They go on to say that Chairman Brown has been ignoring their requests and as new members of the Executive Committee, they fear that “ignoring the party constitution may compromise the integrity and credibility of the Kansas GOP.”

On May 10, Sharon Samuelson Sweeney, an admin for the Jefferson County, KS Republican Party Group, revealed that of the 11 rules committee members, only three voted against the rules change proposal to be presented at the summer meeting. Those three being Kelly Arnold, Matthew Bingesser, and Roman Rodriguez.

The RNHA then released the following statement on the Kansas Republican Party Rules Committee on Tuesday, May 16:

“The Kansas Republican Party Rules Committee recently voted to remove the appointment of key representative organizations from historically held positions on the state executive board. This coarse of action is detrimental and does not promote growth and unity within Republican ranks. Representative groups are critical to success in every organization. An official voice for various constituents helps broaden messaging, builds unity of ideas, promotes diversity of thought, and generates collaborative outcomes.
“As the largest conservative Hispanic organization in the country, the Republican National Hispanic Assembly encourages the Kansas Republican Party and its chairman to reconsider this vote to amend facets of bylaws that have existed since 1908. The RNHA contends that this unprecedented vote to remove elected officials and organizations whose executive committee positions have existed for decades is both ill-advised and unnecessary. The RNHA extends a sincere invitation to open dialogue and is prepared to join in developing an amicable solution to this party policy debate.”

The next day, the Black Conservative Federation (BCF), a national network of GOP grassroots activists, issued a statement regarding the proposed rule by the Kansas GOP Rules Committee to “exclude Black Leadership from the Executive and State Committee.”

This statement is a bit longer, but some key takeaways include:

BCF “vehemently condemns” the “disgraceful actions” of the Kansas GOP chair Mike Brown, and his appointees.
Chairman of KBRC Michael Austin has been key in educating, lobbying and advocating for Republican values.
Excluding them undermines the party’s strength, sends message that Kansas GOP does not want or value Black leadership.
Kansas GOP cannot afford to fracture or alienate minority voters.
Demand Chairman Brown and appointees reverse decision, demonstrate message of freedom and growth that welcomes and values Black leadership.

Skipping forward to Friday, May 19, Brown released the following statement on the Kansas Republican Party’s Facebook page:

“When I ran for chairman, I committed not to put my finger on the scale in both primary elections and inner-party discussions.
I appointed our Party committee members upon recommendations of District leadership to ensure a cross-section of Kansans. I appreciate the time and effort the committees have put into their charge and know they will continue to thoughtfully review and debate resolutions brought before them.
As Chairman, the By-laws dictate my responsibilities clearly. Based upon the concerns expressed to me and the impact the Rules Committee’s Resolution is having on the Party and its members, I have directed the Rules Committee to meet and reconsider its recent recommendation to the State Committee to change the makeup of the members of the Executive Committee. I believe this recommendation to reconsider will allow our Party to refocus on expanding our Party and winning elections.
Our Party, the Party of Lincoln, the Party that championed woman’s suffrage and Civil Rights, has and will continue to support all of our GOP members’ full involvement in our Party. Our members are diverse in ethnicity, background, age and beliefs but we are united in our passion for smaller government, less taxes and more freedom.”

This statement was met with a lot of disdain.

“Better late than never! I posted on 4/28/23 asking Brown to speak out against this terrible plan he orchestrated,” former Kansas GOP Chairman Mike Kuckelman commented. “His job is to GROW the Party not shrink it.”

“As the Party Chair it is your responsibility to make sure that proposals like this never see the light of day,” Republican Precinct Committee Member Marisel Walston said. “You are the leader, so yes you have a say and a hand in what it is proposed.”

Marisel went onto say the proposal should be killed and that Rules Committee Chair Bryant Anderson and Rebecca Wetter should be removed from the rules committee.

Not only this, but some of the affected parties came out with statements.

RNHA released the following:

“The RNHA of Kansas is disappointed in today’s weak response by Chairman Mike Brown in regards to the proposed rules change of silencing minority and elected leadership from State Party Leadership.
“When faced with an opportunity to repudiate this rule change, Mike Brown simply asked for them to meet and discuss. “This has done irreparable damage to our party, and those responsible for its creation and passage need to step down or be removed from the rules committee,” said RNHA – Kansas Chair Ben Sauceda “We can’t allow this type of mindset to be driving the policy and rules of our party. It’s dangerous.”
“Today, RNHA – Kansas calls for the resignation or removal of Bryant Anderson and Rebecca Wetter from the rules committee.”

KBRC released this statement the same day:

“Today, Republicans across Kansas and the nation spoke loud and clear; we are better together.
“Yet, a Rules Committee reconsideration, by itself, falls short as a remedy for the rule that nearly caused our party’s demise. We call for bold leadership that eradicates any notion of such rules haunting our party in the future.”

The Kansas City Star also picked up on this story, releasing an article that day as well, making it onto Yahoo News. Comments, again, were not favorable for the Republican party.

RNHA – Kansas went to Facebook on May 20, thanking those who used their voices to speak out against the Rules Committee, specifically mentioning their National Committeeman and Committeewoman, the Congressional District Chairs, Black Conservative Fund, and RNHA.

On May 21, Kansas Young Republican’s released a statement regarding Brown’s May 19 statement.

“The Kansas Republican Party Chairman’s action is the first step in stopping the damaging and divisive Rules Committee Proposal.
“As a party, we need to focus on getting Republicans elected, not removing Young Republicans, Kansas Federation of College Republicans, Kansas Federation of Republican Women, Republican National Hispanic Assembly – Kansas, Kansas Black Republican Council, and elected officials from party leadership.
“The Chair of the KSGOP Rules Committee has taken full credit for the proposal and has on multiple occasions rigidly refused to remove or even modify it.
“We have lost confidence in his ability to work with others to recommend rule changes that strengthen the GOP. Instead, he has created division. We ask that the KSGOP Chairman remove him from his role or that he step down immediately so that someone else can begin the healing process within our party.”

A few days later, in the Jefferson County Republican Facebook Group a member named Maren Hart made a post on the issue which started a whole debate.

“Why are Kansas Republicans catering to special interest groups like Democrats do? Black, white, Hispanic, young or old, men or women, we are all REPUBLICANS and we are all AMERICANS!” Hart’s post reads.

KFRW released their statement on Thursday, May 25.

Key takeaways from their statement include:

Since 1930 when KFRW began, they have have ensured a voice for all Republican women.
Liberal and conservative media coverage have viewed the proposal as racist and sexist.
Lack of transparency goes against claims by Chairman to want to achieve representation for the grassroots at all levels.
Whether Chairman Brown knew or didn’t know about these actions are both damning as a leader.
The Rules Committee should have voted to keep the proposal from moving forward.
As the appointed authority for the committee Chairman Brown should have clearly asked for the proposal to be rescinded. If not, he is either an “ineffective leader” or supports the action.
Inability to lead on this will show Chairman Brown has self-interest and not interest for the Kansas GOP.
KFWR calls on Chairman Brown to have the proposal rescinded for the good of the Kansas GOP.

Around the same time, Ellis County Republican Party also released a statement:

“The Ellis County Republican Party opposes a rules committee proposal which would remove representation from the KSGOP executive committee.
“‘The Ellis County GOP has made significant strides in growing Republican influence in Hays and our county, in part, thanks to our homegrown ‘Rising GOP Star’ Alex Johnson and Kansas Black Republican Chairman Michael Austin.
Removing statewide elected GOP leaders like Michael and many others is inconsistent with what our party stands for and undermines our dedicated efforts.’”

On Friday, May 26, KBRC released a press release calling for the Kansas GOP Chairman to show accountability and bold leadership and “remove the party architects of the divisive and controversial rule change.”

Key points include:

KBRC demands immediate and decisive action from Kansas GOP Chairman Brown.
Chairman Brown must remove Rules Committee Chair Bryant Anderson and the proposed rule change sponsor to restore faith and integrity within the Kansas Republican Party.
In April, Kansas GOP Rules Committee “proposed stripping leadership from the KBRC, GOP Associations, and elected Republican leaders within the party apparatus.”
Chairman Brown evaded responsibility for his appointed committee despite widespread condemnation of Republicans across Kansas and the nation.
Chairman of KBRC Michael Austin said, “Bold Conservative Leadership is more than a ‘recommendation to reconsider’ a rule that rips apart the very fabric of the Kansas Republican Party.”
To ensure “shortsighted” and “destructive” ideas are never seen again, Chairman Brown must promptly remove his Rules Chair and the proposal sponsor from their positions.
Failure to adequately address proposed rule change carries “grave repercussions” including: Crippling fundraising, waning candidate interest, and a cascade of electoral defeats at all levels, including presidential.
KBRC remains determined to empower African Americans through Republican principles and are ready to work with Republicans to restore trust, bridge divides, and reaffirm their shared commitment to a stronger, united Republican Party.

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