Vancouver resident Mark Moore expresses his concerns for the actions of Clark County Republican Party Chairman Joel Mattila
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
On February 23, 2021 the Clark County Republican Central Committee overwhelmingly passed a resolution of censure against US Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler because of her vote to impeach President Donald Trump. In the year and a half since that vote, the chairman of the Clark County Republican Party appears to be working to undermine the will of the Central Committee which he serves.
In March of 2021 at the CCRP Candidate Forum, the chairman negotiated an agreement with the three candidates running at that point to challenge JHB in the primary, to support the Trump endorsed candidate. In the summer of 2021 President Trump enthusiastically endorsed former Green Beret, Joe Kent, for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District race. To this point, the chairman has refused to enforce this agreement. He has the political power to do so, he however seems to lack the political will, his inaction in this matter has only empowered JHB. Despite leading by a significant margin in recent polls, Joe Kent has publicly pledged to support whichever candidate prevails in the August 2 primary, proving his commitment to defeating JHB.
Recently, the CCRP vice chair was quoted in a Seattle newspaper as supporting JHB for re-election. Other members of the CCRP executive board have also expressed support for JHB’s re-election. This is unacceptable in the face of a binding resolution of the Clark County Republican Central Committee, which the Executive Board is elected to serve.
In what can fairly be described as hubristic, this month the chairman attempted to appoint Jaimie Herrera Beutler’s mother to the voting office of Precinct Committee Officer. It seems he has retreated from this folly, but it betrays his disposition.
There have been several occasions during his administration where the chairman has ignored the express will of the body he was elected to serve, however his apparent efforts to ignore the will of the CCRCC regarding the WA-03 Congressional race is a step too far.
It is time for the elected, and appointed, Precinct Committee Officers of the Clark County Republican Central Committee to fulfill their duty of representing their constituents and demand the chairman honor their vote of censure against Representative Herrera-Beutler by doing everything in his power to see her removed from office. They should contact the chairman and respectfully demand he honor the will of the body. Republican voters also should respectfully express their displeasure directly to the chairman.
Joel Mattila, the chairman of the Clark County Republican Party, was elected to serve the will of the Republican Central Committee, he has consistently ignored the will of the body, the Republican voters of Clark County and in so doing has dishonored the duty of his office. It is time for Republicans to express their displeasure, it is the duty of the constituency.
Contact – clarkcountyrepublicanchairman@gmail.com
Mark Moore
Vancouver
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