Six senior Republican state senators have joined the call to oust the state party chairman, Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick of Prince William County, saying the party is no longer functional under his control.
"An overwhelming majority of our caucus has expressed grave concern over the state of affairs at the Republican Party of Virginia in recent months and has lost confidence in Del. Frederick's leadership," the senators wrote last week in a letter to Michael E. Thomas, vice chairman of the party.
In a statement yesterday, Frederick responded that he was "disappointed some in our party want to fight old intraparty squabbles."
He noted that some of the same senators opposed his efforts to bring grass-roots reforms to the party last year, when he defeated former Lt. Gov. John H. Hager, who was chairman.
The senators' letter was signed by Sens. Thomas K. Norment Jr. of James City County, the Senate Republican leader; Stephen D. Newman of Lynchburg, the GOP Caucus chairman; Walter A. Stosch of Henrico County, the Republican leader emeritus; Kenneth W. Stolle of Virginia Beach, the leader pro tempore; and Mark D. Obenshain of Harrisonburg and Frank W. Wagner of Virginia Beach, both whips.
A large majority of members of the party's state central committee already has called for Frederick's ouster. A removal vote, which requires a three-quarters vote of those present, is scheduled for April 4.
The senators said in their letter that the GOP is fighting to retain control of the House of Delegates and regain the governorship.
"We are convinced that the only way to ensure this is a change in leadership" in the state party, the letter states.
Frederick said he will do "everything I can to ensure we prevail in the 2009 elections and make Bob McDonnell our next governor."
McDonnell said last week that "it would be helpful . . . to have more effective leadership in this pivotal year."
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.
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