Mecklenburg County Young Republicans are calling for an overhaul of the state Republican Party leadership. That's after a series of political losses and the indictment of state party leader Robin Hayes on charges of improper campaign contributions and lying to the FBI. Hayes has stepped down from day-to-day leadership of the party. But county young Republican chair Larry Shaheen said that's not enough.
"We unanimously chose to issue this statement today calling for new leadership primarily because given the problems of the last six months, frankly we have just seen failure after failure of choices," Shaheen said.
"We need completely new leadership at the chairman's level. We new leadership at the vice chair's level. There are a lot of very good central committee members that I've spoken to who are very quietly supportive of us and what we're doing," he added.
In a statement, the group's executive board said: "We call for fresh new leadership committed to defending capitalism, freedom, and helping tell the story of how it applies to our generation."
The Young Republicans also cited concerns over the party's loss of its veto-proof majorities in the General Assembly, the loss of a Supreme Court seat and the absentee ballot scandal that invalidated the 9th Congressional District election.
The statement also said: "We must begin the process of working with our central committee in removing from leadership those who no longer deserve our trust based on the last year ... We need to tell the success story in North Carolina of the last ten years."
North Carolina Republicans will meet in Cabarrus county in June to elect a new state chair and other leadership.
