Colorado judge rules that the vote to oust Dave Williams as state GOP chair went against party bylaws | Elections

A district court judge ruled late Wednesday that the attempt by a faction of Colorado Republicans to oust Dave Williams as state GOP chairman was invalid because they did not follow party bylaws. The ruling effectively ended the months-long bid by Williams’ opponents to take control of the state party. The judge dismissed portions of a motion brought by Eli Bremer, who claimed to have been elected to replace Williams, stating that Williams’ detractors did not meet the 60% threshold required to change party leadership. A trial is still scheduled for mid-October to resolve other aspects of the dispute. Williams had argued that it would take a vote of 60% of the entire state central committee to remove a state party officer. Less than half of the committee members attended a meeting where Williams was voted out and replaced by Bremer and others. Bremer and his supporters maintained that party bylaws only required 60% support from central committee members present at a meeting. The judge agreed with Williams’ interpretation of the bylaws, ruling that the supermajority requirement had not been met. The state GOP celebrated the ruling as a victory, promising legal action against Williams’ foes. Williams, a former state lawmaker, faced calls to step down as chairman earlier this year but had refused to do so. The ruling comes as mail ballots are set to start going out to Colorado voters in just over two weeks.

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