Local Republicans undergo leadership changes

LIBERTY – Local Republicans will see a change in party leadership following a recent shakeup with the third chair in just six months.

Out is longtime activist Sherial Lawson, who cited her recent election to the Dayton City Council and other personal priorities that made her commitment harder to fulfill.

“ I just felt the party needs someone who is more of a go-getter right now with the upcoming election and with me being back on city council and getting ready to get back to the construction of my home,” said Lawson.

Party leaders met at the July quarterly meeting of the party and selected a new leader.

Wes Thomas, a longtime member of the local party and precinct chairperson from the Dayton area, who served most recently as Vice Chairman, will now take the lead.

Thomas is excited to get to work and strengthen efforts to grow the party at the local level.

“ We have a lot to do. We have to work to build this party,” said Thomas.

Those efforts include improving the party by strengthening elections and the core mission of the party.

“Making statements about the principles and the platform of the Republican Party and then getting citizens involved with the process,” said Thomas Thomas credits former chair Emily Cook, who resigned last February over personal reasons, for establishing a vision for a more interactive and involved local party.

“ We need to get more people involved in the local market because that’s related to our election process, and so we want to get more people, more speakers coming in the quarterly meetings and make it a more social time for meeting and greeting and things like that,” said Thomas.

Thomas’ first act of business was naming Tommy Brents as Vice Chair. Brents currently serves on the Liberty City Council and has advocated against several bond efforts in recent years.

“ I am grateful and honored to be the Vice Chair of the Liberty County Republican Party. I am excited to continue the excellent work of past leadership, advocating for Republican principles including limited government, free markets, eliminating property taxes, and steadfast commitment to the sanctity of human life,” said Brents.

The party will also be looking to fill several other executive committee vacancies soon, including the position of Secretary that Liberty County Clerk Lee Chambers had filled. The executive committee must vote on that position.

“ We’re on the lookout for precinct chairs. We want to fi nd people in the community that want to help this party,” said Thomas.

Thomas encourages anyone interested in working with the party to visit libertycountyrepublicans. com.