"These are people who are leaders of the party,'' he said. "Some people seem to think that just showing up for the meetings fulfills their obligations to the party.''
While several executive committee members helped pay down the debt and have already maxed out their annual contributions, McKinney said such is not true for all 130-plus members.
Some Republicans were taken aback by the letter, while others said they sympathize with McKinney's frustration.
"I think he's just trying to get people's attention,'' said David Tyson, a Huntington lawyer and former state GOP chairman. "It's hard to raise money for a party as opposed to a candidate.''
The nonpartisan National Institute on Money in State Politics estimates that West Virginia's Republican Party attracted only $3,162 for its state elections fund during the 2006 cycle -- by far the lowest amount raised by any other state committee for either major party. Montana's GOP had the next-lowest total, $18,916. The average was $4.5 million.Lockhart, noting the massive debt from 2004, said the state party is in better shape that it has been.
"I look at where we were; the debt our party was in," she said. "To take it seriously that the party will be dissolved, I don't think that will happen is this state. ... I don't think he has the authority. I don't think the rank file members will allow that."
Bob Fish, a member of the state's executive committee, declined to comment, referring questions to McKinney.
"I think the comments that Doug made are probably the best thing from the party," he said.
GOP chairman gives ultimatum
About 30 percent of West Virginia's 1.17 million registered voters are Republicans. The state GOP racked up unpaid bills during the 2004 election cycle that topped $190,000 at one point, and has spent the next few years wrestling with that debt.
Elected chairman in mid-2006, McKinney announced last month that the remaining vendors owed money had agreed to settle for lesser amounts. The FEC must still sign off on those deals, he noted Wednesday.
But the party now needs about $160,000 to pay staff, maintain its South Charleston headquarters and assist this year's candidates. It ended March with about $25,800 in its state and federal funds. The state Democratic Party had about $151,000. Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 2-to-1 in the state.
The Herald Dispatch
"If contributions do not increase, the only way the WVGOP can avoid deficit spending is by dissolving the Party in West Virginia," McKinney wrote.
"You read correctly," the letter continues. "The WVGOP is in danger of ceasing to exist if we do not get more financial support from you and other concerned Republicans."
Editors note: Some will answer the call while others will criticize. If you can help Chairman McKinney and the State GOP please click the link provided: Help the WV GOP
130+ members on the State Executive Committee @ 1000 each= 130,000 per year! Sounds like a plan.
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