North Carolina Republican Party Vice Chairman Timothy F. Johnson announces his run to replace current State Chairman Tom Fetzer at the NCGOP State Executive Committee meeting on Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday, January 15th.
Mr. Fetzer announced at the North Carolina Republican Party's State Executive Committee meeting on Saturday, November 20th that he would be resigning effective January 15th due to his new family obligations. Fifty-five years old and married for the first time, October 2009, his wife recently gave birth to their son and he says he wants to spend more time with them since the historical victories in North Carolina and the re-election of US Senator Richard Burr. It is also widely rumored that Fetzer personally recruited and the Associated Press has reported that former Congressman Robin Hayes would be seeking the chairmanship in January.
Frederick Douglass Foundation Vice Chairman Dean Nelson said "Many of you know Tim, as the Founder and Chairman of the Frederick Douglass Foundation. Under his leadership, the Foundation has expanded to over 20 states with thousands of members and supporters who represent the diversity of America . The Frederick Douglass Foundation is at the forefront of showcasing the many positive contributions, achievements, history, values and principles of the Republican Party since the Party's inception in 1854 as the anti-slavery party. And under his leadership, FDF promoted the historical number of Black Republicans who ran for local, state and federal offices this year, which included and contributed to the successful election of Congressmen-Elect Allen West (FL-22) and Tim Scott (SC-1)."
In North Carolina, State Representative Pearl Burris-Floyd (NC-110) said "No Vice Chairman has covered North Carolina and promoted the Republican Party better than Dr. Tim Johnson. He is prepared to lead the NCGOP."
NC State Representative-Elect Glen Bradley (NC-49) said ""The battle for 2012 begins now, and North Carolina is particularly vulnerable to the Democrat machine - politics as usual is just not good enough to give us the victory. Tim's guidance along with the work by the Frederick Douglass Foundation was critical in winning the District 49 race for NC State House, by far the strongest Democratic district to flip in 2010. Because of Tim, we accomplished what was supposed to be impossible - a clear victory in every precinct of downtown Roanoke Rapids. This is the leadership we need as a party to prevail in 2012, and I am proud to support Tim Johnson for Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party."
NC Freedom Founder and Grassroots Activist, David DeGerolamo endorses Johnson for NCGOP Chairman and said "Dr. Johnson's perseverance to stand up for the people of North Carolina has earned him my complete support for his bid to be the next Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party"
Charlotte, NC Tea Party Organizer Matthew Ridenhour endorses his fellow veteran and said " I am excited to support Tim Johnson for NCGOP Chairman. I have known him for two years, and have seen first-hand his dedication to the grassroots, to expanding the Republican base, and to positioning the GOP for future elections. We made incredible gains in the NC House and NC Senate this year, and we will need strong leadership to ensure that we keep those gains. Tim Johnson is the leader we need."
What else is at stake? His election would be significant as the Republican Party seeks to rebrand the party's image, as a party of inclusion not exclusion. And while his election would not make him the first Black to serve as State Chairman in the United States, he would be the first in North Carolina's history, the first in the South since 1869, and the fourth Black ever. The three individuals who have served as State Chairmen previously are South Carolina's Former Congressman and Lieutenant Governor Alonzo Ransier (1869-1870), Maryland's Former State Senator Aris T. Allen (1977-1979)and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele (2000-2002). |
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