Politics & Government

Camden County GOP Leader Steps Down

He announced his resignation Thursday.

After more than a week of public calls for him to step down, Rick DeMichele did just that today.

DeMichele announced on the Camden County Republican Committee's website this afternoon that he will resign his post as chairman effective March 9.

Calling the publicly aired intra-party discontent with his leadership in recent weeks "unwarranted and shameful," DeMichele nonetheless decided he did not want to subject this year's Republican candidates "to any further challenges to their campaigns. Unfortunately, those who have chosen to malign me have made my presence a distraction to the men and women who truly want to represent our party and serve the taxpayers as candidates for public office."

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DeMichele will schedule a committee meeting in the next few days so a new county GOP chairman can be nominated and elected. Vice Chairwoman Shelley Lovett, a former Gloucester Township councilwoman, will preside over that meeting.

The unedited text of DeMichele's resignation letter is below:

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It is with mixed emotion that I must announce, effective March 9, 2011, my resignation as Chairman of the Camden County Republican Committee. After consultation with my family and close friends I have determined that my resignation is best for me and the Party. The recent personal attacks upon me and my family are unwarranted and shameful. Until today I was prepared to stand with the majority of the members of the County Committee and defend myself and our organization.

However, over the past few days I reminded myself why, five years ago, I wanted to chair the Republican Party in Camden County. I did then—as I do now—simply want to help Republicans get elected in Camden County. In these five years, the Party has made significant progress in both gaining elected positions and fundraising; however, the cowardly personal attacks have made it apparent to me that as long as I remain Chair, these disgruntled, cowardly detractors will stand in the way of this year’s Republican candidates up and down the ballot.

I cannot, in good conscience, subject our candidates—who start with an uphill battle as it is—to any further challenges to their campaigns. Unfortunately, those who have chosen to malign me have made my presence a distraction to the men and women who truly want to represent our Party and serve the taxpayers as candidates for public office.

I will use the remaining few days of my Chairmanship to schedule a County Committee meeting to elect a successor and prepare for the transition. CCGOP Vice Chair, Shelly Lovett, will preside over that meeting and nominations for Chairman can be made by Committee members from the floor.

During this journey I have formed many wonderful new friendships and memories for which I am truly grateful. I will miss the opportunity to fight for good government as well as form new relationships with like-minded conservatives in the future. I want to thank everyone who has been so supportive over the last five years and who worked hard and sacrificed so much for the chance to obtain a Republican majority in Camden County.

Sincerely,

Richard A. DeMichele Jr.


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