Local GOP chairman announces plan to step-down from leadership role
NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT
Friday, Oct. 26, 2018 — Robert Augustine, chairman of the Republican Party of Nelson County since 2012, announced today he will step down from his leadership post on Nov. 30, 2018.
In the letter below sent to local media, Augustine made it clear his decision had nothing to do with politics.
To all my friends in Nelson County:
Since March of 2012, I have served as chairman of our local Republican Party. It has been an honor and a privilege. I have formed relationships and made friendships that will last my lifetime. The past few months have been filled with thought and prayer, and after notifying the other members of county leadership, last week I made a final decision to step down as chairman.
ROBERT AUGUSTINE
The reasons I am doing so have nothing to do with politics. I believe in, and encourage, citizen participation in our process. We each have a duty to our children to leave things better than the way we found them. Preserving the ideas of individual liberty, due-process, fiscal responsibility, and limited government for our children is why I became politically active. I have no intention of shirking those responsibilities just because I will no longer have an official title within the Republican Party. Since I was elected chairman, I’ve watched my sons grow from infants, to toddlers, and now to school-age children. Not only do I need to protect their future, but I have to protect the present and spend as much time with my family as possible.
My personal goals as Chairman of the Republican Party were to open a headquarters, become more competitive in elections by recruiting Republican candidates, have local primary elections, create a culture of inclusiveness and openness, and to have this organization maintain a good partnership with the community. With the help and leadership of countless people, I feel these goals have been achieved.
It is my firm belief that after a period of time, all organizations need room for new leadership and fresh perspectives. The Republican Party of Nelson County is no exception. I am confident that the party will continue to grow, and I look forward to seeing those new perspectives that will undoubtedly be brought forward.
What happens next? Officially I will vacate the chairmanship on November 30th, 2018.
That will give me time to see this election through and support our incredible slate of candidates from the top to the bottom of the ticket and to finish housekeeping duties such as after election finance reports, etc. In addition, it will give the local party a couple of months before the next calendar year to choose and transition leadership roles. After the election, I will send out information regarding the rules and process of selecting a new chairperson, but I won’t personally be involved in that process.
I am thankful. I personally thank each and every person who has and continues to work for and support our local party. Without your help and support, the picnics, Lincoln Dinners, and countless other initiatives would never have happened. Thank you to the candidates who have run for office, win or lose, on our tickets throughout the years. Thank you to previous chairpersons and the women’s GOP group for building the strong foundation that I benefitted from. Finally, thank you to my family for your love and continued support.
In Liberty,
Robert Augustine
Chairman
The Republican Party of Nelson County
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