“Numerous irregularities” in the elections conducted by the Philadelphia County Republican Committee have led the state Republican Credentials Committee, in an unanimous vote, to declare the seat of Philadelphia County party chairman vacant until a new election is held.
The action was taken in response to a challenged filed by Kevin Kelly after the Philly Republicans picked Vito J. Canuso as party head in a bizarre June 9 proceeding in which the party establishment declared him the winner in a 42-12 vote. Kelly said the actual vote was 21-18 for Al Schmidt.
On June 17, he told the Delaware County Patriots , an area Tea Party organization, that the irregularities included the old guard’s refusal to seat several newly recruited GOP leaders from black and Hispanic wards.
The Credentials Committee held a hearing Sept. 9 and largely accepted the case Kelly made albeit they did not seat Schmidt as chairman as per Kelly’s request.
While Canuso held the title of party chairman he was basically a figurehead for Michael Meehan.
Philadelphia County is coterminous with the city.
Hat tip to GrassrootsPa.com
GOP Cred Board Says Philly Needs New Election
