Va. GOP’s fundraising chief quits

In another setback for the state's Republican chairman, the GOP's top fundraising officer is quitting.

Walter Curt says in a letter to chairman Jeffrey M. Frederick that he is leaving his voluntary post as finance chairman because the party is in bad shape and has defied efforts to fix it.

"Unfortunately the problems of structure, power projection, consultant interference, interpersonal difficulties, years of internal malaise, luddite attitude, leadership, and unity of purpose stand in the way of any hope of success," Curt wrote.

Describing the state GOP as "dysfunctional," Curt credited Frederick with attempting to end the party's reverses.

"Your leadership style obviously needs polish," Curt said in his "Dear Jeff" letter. "But given the tremendous headwinds you are trying to move against it is amazing what you have accomplished."

Frederick, on his way to a closed meeting of the House Republican Caucus this morning, had no immediate comment on Curt's resignation. However, Frederick, a state delegate from Prince William County, described Curt's correspondence as a "good letter."

Frederick, who last spring toppled incumbent John H. Hager for the chairmanship, has been under constant fire since his election. Republicans say Frederick and the party are, in part, to blame for the first Democratic presidential victory in Virginia in 44 years.

Last month, Frederick survived an effort by opponents to force his resignation as party leader.