Kimball Won't Resign as GOP Chairman

Embattled state Republican Party Chairman Jack Kimball said this morning that he will not resign his post, despite calls from GOP leaders for him to step down.

Kimball kicked off his news conference at the Legislative Office Building in Concord by talking of his Tea Party roots, and went on to defend the job he has done as chairman.

"Growing pains and conflicts are bound to occur," he said. "But it's a shame to see the false accusations and the infighting on such a spectacular scale. Regardless of these short-term differences, the struggle between the tea party and the establishment must be resolved positively so our party will be far stronger."

He did not name his critics, though some supporters have blamed former Gov. John H. Sununu, who was party chairman before Kimball won the post over Sununu's choice.

"Those who seek to remove me from my duly elected position must recognize that I represent a movement - a political movement much larger than myself. I plead with them not to pick this fight," Kimball said. "It will only damage the party and cause unnecessary division."

Kimball then went on to pledge to unite the old guard and new members of the party. He also said that party fundraising is not as bad as some have claimed, especially in the middle of a recession.

More than a dozen people showed up to support Kimball at today's press conference, with some of them carrying signs with slogans like "GOP unity" and "I stand with Jack."

The Huffington Post's Jon Ward reported Wednesday that Kimball will be notified today that members of the party's executive committee will vote on whether to remove him at a Sept. 1 meeting.

Two sources in the state told the Huffington Post that at least 20 of the 36 committee members support removing Kimball. Only 19 are needed to do so. If Kimball is voted out, Ward reports, long-time Vice Chairman Wayne MacDonald would take over as chairman.

Ward also reported Thursday that a letter was sent to Kimball bearing 22 names from the 36-member executive committee in support of a vote on his removal, including Sen. Kelly Ayotte, Rep. Frank Guinta, Rep. Charlie Bass, state Senate President Peter Bragdon, state House Speaker Bill O'Brien, national committeewoman Phyllis Woods and national committeeman Steve Duprey.

Kimball is under fire after dismissing the state GOP's executive director, Will Wrobleski, and for apparently trying to help the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire  get on the ballot. Kimball said it was a good move to remove Wrobleski, and he and a committee are working to find a replacement. 

Despite his pleas, Kimball said he would respect the decision of the party's executive committee, should members vote to oust him. But he repeated a warning: "If I am voted out it is going to cause a fissure in this party that is going to open a wound that is not going to heal real soon. This is the worst possible thing to happen at the worst possible time with the first-in-the-nation primary coming up."

Supporters said after the news conference that establishment Republicans designed a way for Kimball to fail.

"When you push someone into a corner you've got to expect you're going to end up in a fight and that's what they've been doing with him," said Jerry DeLemus, chairman of the Granite State Patriots Liberty PAC.

Tess Conroy, chairwoman of the Strafford County Republican Committee, said any Republicans trying to get rid of Kimball should stop and respect that he was duly elected as the party leader. She is convinced he will survive any ouster attempt.

"I've never lost confidence in Jack," she said. "He's a true patriot."