Vernon County Republicans implement new candidate vetting process ahead of 2024 elections

The Vernon County Republican Central Committee is taking a stance to ensure the "authenticity" of candidates running under the Republican banner, starting with the 2024 election cycle and continuing into the future. This move represents a significant shift in the party's approach, with the primary goal being to verify that candidates with an "R" after their names genuinely adhere to the Republican Party's principles as outlined in its platform.

Vernon County Republican Central Committee Chairwoman Cyndia Haggard emphasized that the central objective of this vetting process is not to determine who the "best" Republican candidate is, nor is it an attempt to undermine voters' choices. Instead, it is aimed at ensuring that all candidates running as Republicans truly embody the party's values.

Haggard provided clarification for those concerned the vetting process aims to manipulate candidate selection or remove candidates with competing ideas, stating, "We do not care if there are three Republicans running for the same office. We care that they are all actual Republicans."

The move to implement candidate vetting reflects concerns within the party that individuals who do not genuinely align with Republican values may be running under the party's banner, potentially diluting the party's core message. Haggard pointed to the state's "purple" legislature in what is traditionally a "red" state as evidence that Democrats may be running as Republicans without facing consequences.

Haggard highlighted the legal dimension of the issue, stating that the courts have ruled that allowing a candidate to run with a party knowing their values do not align with that party's platform constitutes fraud and deceit upon the voters. She emphasized the party's duty, as outlined in state statute, to vet its county candidates.

"Our goal is to reassure voters that candidates with an 'R' after their names share the values of the Republican voter about to cast a vote," Haggard stated.

The committee provided a clear breakdown of what vetting entails. It is described as a means of identifying genuine Republican candidates, intended to be applied objectively to all candidates, with a standardized and uniform application process. Importantly, it is to be administered fairly and equally to all candidates, without bias, and without modification from county to county. The primary aim is to protect the Republican Party's brand.

Conversely, vetting is not a mechanism to select the "best" Republican candidate, play favorites, allow for regional variation, serve as an excuse for personal biases, or subvert the will of the voters.

Currently, vetting is taking place within county committees for county elected officials. However, the committee is actively working to encourage the state committee to implement vetting at the state level. If the state committee does not adopt this practice, the Vernon County Central Committee is prepared to extend the vetting process to candidates within their House and Senate districts at the state level.

When asked for comment on the matter, the Vernon County Democrat Chair stated, "We expect the Republicans will follow the rules, protocol of the local, state, federal organizations. Party members have to be able to trust their leaders to follow the law."