BISMARCK — A challenge to Republican party chairman Perrie Schafer came close to succeeding, but in the end the Bismarck man kept his position at the podium.
As chairman of the state GOP, Schafer entered the convention hall at the Bismarck Event Center also as chairman of the convention. However, that position is a temporary one and subject to a challenge. It was that challenge that captured much of the attention at the convention.
In the days leading up to the convention, it became widely known that a group of Republicans were poised to name Gary Emineth, Washburn, and former head of the party, as a challenger to Schafer. The political tussle included multiple, and sometimes lengthy, text messages and emails to convention delegates.
The hierarchy of the GOP referred to those organized to challenge Schafer’s convention leadership as a rogue group, helping fan the flames for possible fireworks on the convention floor. The opposition, under an Ad Hoc title, proved their organization was both serious and formidable, going forward with the nomination of Emineth from a sometimes-boisterous floor.
While party members were engaged in determining the precise number of delegates eligible to vote, Schafer informed the gathering of the voting procedure. That included a paper ballot to be distributed to all convention delegates. However, the ballot contained only Schafer’s name. Schafer explained that any vote cast for Emineth would have to be clearly written and circled.
After a wait of approximately 90 minutes, the ballots were tallied, and the results shared with convention delegates. Schafer came out on top 1,274 to 999, or 56%. The result appeared much closer than many veteran convention goers had anticipated and an indicator of new blood in the Republican party.
“We nominated Gary Emineth for convention chair to try to allow the delegates in attendance to choose their own rules for the convention,” said Mike Blessum, District 5, Minot. “We believe had Gary been given the opportunity to speak to the assembly that the vote for chair may have had a different result.”
Although some had expected the opposing factions within the Republican party might butt heads a little too strongly over the matter and create even further division, once the result of the vote was announced the issue was put to rest by convention delegates.
Blessum noted that, “1,000 Republicans in the convention sided with our arguments,” adding, “We are proud of our efforts and will continue to work to return our party to the people.”
